Netflix Unveils Official Trailer for Ben Affleck's Thriller 'Animals' Starring Kerry Washington
The high-stakes political thriller explores marriage, secrets, and survival following a devastating kidnapping.
Summary
Netflix has debuted the official trailer for Animals a new political thriller directed by and starring Ben Affleck
The storyline follows a high-profile couple forced to confront hidden secrets when their son is abducted
Co-starring Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson and Steven Yeun the Artists Equity production streams October 9, 2026
Netflix has officially released the first trailer for Animals, an intense political thriller directed by and starring Ben Affleck alongside Kerry Washington. The film examines the existential strains placed on a high-profile family following the sudden kidnapping of their child.
The narrative centers on successful politician Mark Kimball (Affleck) and his wife Abigail (Washington), whose public lifestyle is shattered when their son Denny (Christopher Woodley) is abducted. As desperation takes over, a mysterious fixer named Dayle (Gillian Anderson) forces the couple to expose their deepest secrets to one another in a bid to save their son. Co-written by Connor McIntyre, Billy Ray, and Affleck, the screenplay uses the kidnapping crisis to dissect marriage, moral compasses, and self-preservation.
Produced in partnership with Artists Equity—the independent studio founded by Affleck, Matt Damon, and Gerry Cardinale—the production features an ensemble cast that includes Steven Yeun, Adriana Paz, and Luis Gerardo Méndez. Produced alongside Brad Weston, Collin Creighton, Dani Bernfeld, and Luciana Damon, the project utilized extensive location rehearsals in Los Angeles to ground its central performances in psychological realism.
Animals is scheduled to premiere globally on Netflix on October 9, 2026.
