Netflix has released the first official trailer for "Animals," a thriller directed by and starring Ben Affleck.
The film marks a significant return to the director's chair for Affleck, combining his roles as both lead actor and filmmaker for a high-stakes streaming release.
Set in Los Angeles, the plot follows a mayoral candidate and his wife who must scramble to raise a ransom after their son is kidnapped [1, 2]. Affleck and Kerry Washington play the lead couple facing the crisis. The supporting cast includes Gillian Anderson and Steven Yeun [1, 3].
While some reports include Ray Fisher as a member of the cast [2], other sources list only the primary lead and supporting actors [1]. The trailer emphasizes the tension of the kidnapping and the pressure of a political campaign occurring simultaneously.
Netflix plans to debut the movie in select theaters and on its streaming platform on Oct. 9, 2026 [1, 2].
“A mayoral candidate and his wife scramble to raise a ransom after their son is kidnapped.”
The hybrid release strategy, combining select theatrical screenings with a global Netflix debut, indicates the streaming giant's continued effort to bridge the gap between traditional cinema and digital distribution for high-profile star vehicles.
