ANIMALS
Starring: Ben Affleck, Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson, Adriana Paz, Luis Gerardo Méndez, Christopher Woodley, Jacob Estrada, Ray Fisher, and Steven Yeun
Director: Ben Affleck
ROBERT
You have to admire directors who manage to keep their identities even when wandering into an eclectic range of genres. Unfortunately, for Ben Affleck and Animals, there were many instances I thought I was watching someone else’s movie. From the opening, it felt like there was a Netflix sheen taped over what could’ve been a gritty exploration into political landscapes and public perception shaping personal relationships. Instead, it was needlessly loud and aggressive in the acting, the dialogue, and its message about criminality and immigration. It did have a satisfying conclusion, but I was hoping for The Town meets Ransom… I got this instead.
PAIGE
Ben Affleck’s latest Netflix flick, Animals, is as mediocre as they come, unfortunately. While its ransom premise is somewhat engaging, the film lacks tension and mystique. The script is thin, the story is convoluted, and the characters are downright hollow. I’m a Massachusetts gal, so of course I’m an Affleck stan, but, my god… this film lacks care and passion. It honestly feels like he and the rest of the cast zombied their way through the movie. Overall, Animals doesn’t offer much beyond surface level intrigue.
