Netflix has released the tense first teaser for Animals, the upcoming kidnapping thriller directed by and starring Ben Affleck, with Scandal star Kerry Washington and Gillian Anderson joining the cast.
The film arrives on the streamer, and in select cinemas, later this year in October – with the teaser giving us a glimpse of some of the emotions to come.
The teaser is surprisingly devoid of dialogue and instead favours the repetitive buzz of a mobile phone ringing, which only adds to the sense of unease.
We see how Affleck’s Mark Kimball is in the running to become the new mayor of Los Angeles, going out on tours and press opportunities, all smiles for the camera.
His home life is equally as good, enjoying time with his wife Abigail (Washington) and their son.
But their ideal living comes to an abrupt halt when they receive a phone call that appears to confirm the disappearance of their son. We then see a makeshift bed with handcuffs dangling from it, Mark shouting on the phone to the mysterious caller and the likes of Luis Gerardo Méndez and Adriana Paz both clearly distraught.
A blacked out car soon pulls up at Mark and Abigail’s home with Anderson’s character stepping out in a glamorous white suit and heels, appearing to be a fixer of some sort (and a welcome hark back to Washington’s Scandal for any eagle-eyed fans).
But will she help them navigate what appears to be the worst night of their lives?
You can watch the official teaser below.
Netflix’s official synopsis for Animals reads: “When their son is kidnapped, an LA mayoral candidate and his wife scramble to raise the ransom while making choices that could tear their world apart.”
Washington, an Emmy nominee best known for Scandal and more recently The Six Triple Eight, leads the film alongside Affleck and Gillian Anderson, whose recent credits include The Crown and Sex Education.
The ensemble also features Steven Yeun (Beef) as Kimball’s campaign manager, plus Luis Gerardo Méndez (Narcos: Mexico), Adriana Paz, Ray Fisher (Zack Snyder’s Justice League) and Matt Gerald (Avatar).
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Animals marks Affleck’s second major Netflix feature of 2026, following the action-thriller The Rip. As well as directing and starring, the Gone Girl star co-wrote the screenplay for Animals with Connor O McIntyre and Billy Ray, whose credits include Captain Phillips.
Animals is far from Affleck’s first directorial stint, with the actor having previously directed the likes of Argo, Gone Baby Gone, The Town and Air.
The project is the latest to emerge from Artists Equity, the production banner Affleck runs with Matt Damon, developed in partnership with Fifth Season.
Damon had originally been attached to play the lead role but stepped away because of scheduling, prompting Affleck to take on the part himself.
Animals is available to watch on Netflix from Friday 9 October 2026. You can sign up to Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky TV and Virgin Media.
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