Animals on Netflix: Release Date, Cast, Plot, and Everything You Need to Know

Ben Affleck’s new Netflix thriller Animals, co-starring Kerry Washington and Gillian Anderson, officially arrives on Netflix and in select theaters on October 9.

Directed by Affleck and written alongside Connor O. McIntyre and Billy Ray, Animals is an intense, heart-racing political thriller set against the glistening hills of Los Angeles. Produced by Artists Equity—the artist-led studio founded by Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Gerry Cardinale—the film tackles themes of trust, power, and the extreme lengths a parent will go to protect their family.

Quick Facts: Animals (2026)

• Release Date: October 9, 2026 (Netflix & Select Theaters)
• Director: Ben Affleck
• Lead Cast: Ben Affleck, Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson, Steven Yeun
• Genre: Action / Crime / Political Thriller
• Production Studio: Artists Equity

What Is the Plot of Animals?

Animals asks a terrifyingly simple question: How far would you go to protect your family? And who can you trust?

The plot centers on Mark Kimball (Ben Affleck), a high-profile Los Angeles mayoral candidate on the brink of political triumph. Alongside his wife Abigail (Kerry Washington), Mark has built a carefully constructed, picture-perfect life.

However, their world shatters overnight when an ominous phone call warns them of a direct threat to their home and family. As their son vanishes, Mark and Abigail are plunged into a desperate, high-stakes fight for survival. Forced into a corner on the worst night of their lives, the couple must navigate betrayal, hidden motives, and a mounting body count to rescue their child and save themselves.

Who Is in the Cast of Animals?

Ben Affleck assemble a stacked, ensemble cast blending Emmy winners, Oscar nominees, and acclaimed dramatic actors:

• Ben Affleck (Argo, Gone Girl, The Rip) as Mark Kimball
• Kerry Washington (Scandal, The Six Triple Eight, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery) as Abigail Kimball
• Gillian Anderson (The Crown, Sex Education, The X-Files)
• Steven Yeun (BEEF, Minari, Nope)
• Adriana Paz (Emilia Pérez, Spectre)
• Luis Gerardo Méndez (Club de Cuervos, Murder Mystery)
• Ray Fisher (Zack Snyder’s Justice League, The Piano Lesson)
• Mark Kassen (Puncture, PH-1)
• Christopher Woodley (Our Son, Law & Order: SVU)

Where Was Animals Filmed?

Principal photography for Animals took place directly in and around Los Angeles, California.

Rather than doubling another city, the filmmakers embraced Los Angeles as an essential character in the narrative, utilizing its iconic hills, urban corridors, and distinct architecture as a backdrop for the story’s rising tension.

By filming locally, the production team at Artists Equity prioritized keeping industry jobs within the local crew community, reinforcing LA’s status as a vital hub for film production.

How and Where to Watch Animals

• Netflix Streaming: Available globally to all Netflix subscribers on Friday, October 9, 2026.
• Theatrical Release: Playing in select UK and US theaters starting October 9.

Share this post with someone you think would like it…