Animals (2026)

This is Ben Affleck’s film, through and through. My wife, about halfway through our viewing of it on Netflix last night, said, “Talk about emotional acting!” No, melodrama doesn’t even come close. Political intrigue is probably a better description.

The story is about political spin. This story makes sense only when it’s over. There were too many hints along the way that weren’t explained: like, the father of the kidnapped child knew who was responsible; and, the spin doctor brought the financier into the picture. But did Affleck’s character know how it would end?

The foot-stomping sequence at a political rally is a tension riser. (Or was that our “attention” riser?) The political cover story is way too slick. And coming out a month before the midterm elections, it’s a reminder that not all is as it seems. There’s the spin and then there’s the truth. Appearances can deceive.