Thescreescore – The latest cinematic endeavor from Ben Affleck, the Netflix thriller Animals, has unfortunately landed with a resounding thud, registering a remarkably low audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. This marks a significant stumble for the acclaimed actor-director, as the film struggles to connect with viewers despite its high-profile cast and a premise ripe for tension.
Released recently on the streaming giant, Animals sees Affleck not only in the lead role as a Los Angeles mayoral candidate whose son is kidnapped, but also returning to the director’s chair for the first time since 2023’s critically lauded Air. However, this reunion with Netflix, following their previous collaboration, has yielded a far less favorable outcome. Critics initially weighed in with a meager 37% on Rotten Tomatoes, positioning it as Affleck’s second-lowest directorial score. The audience verdict proved equally harsh, with Animals managing only a 44% approval rating, placing it just above his 2016 directorial misstep, Live by Night, which garnered a mere 42%.
The consensus from both professional critics and the viewing public points to a narrative that falters under its own weight. Despite featuring an impressive ensemble including Gillian Anderson, Kerry Washington, and Steven Yeun, reviews frequently cite a convoluted abduction plot and a jarring tonal inconsistency, oscillating awkwardly between a political thriller and an action spectacle. This lack of narrative coherence appears to be a major contributing factor to its lukewarm reception.
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Adding another layer of controversy to Animals‘ troubled rollout is Affleck’s candid admission regarding the use of artificial intelligence in the film’s production. This revelation has fueled debate and drawn criticism, with many viewers and pundits highlighting what they perceive as "unappealing visuals." A particular scene during the film’s climax has been widely circulated and lambasted online for its perceived absurdity and detachment from realism, further intensifying the backlash.
Ben Affleck’s journey as a director has largely been one of critical acclaim, establishing him as one of Hollywood’s most respected actor-turned-auteurs. His early works, Gone Baby Gone (2007) and The Town (2010), were met with widespread praise, boasting audience scores of 86% and 85% respectively. His directorial magnum opus, the 2012 political thriller Argo, soared with a 90% audience score and clinched the Academy Award for Best Picture, solidifying his reputation.
However, this impressive streak hit a snag with 2016’s Live by Night, which, beyond its critical and audience divisiveness, became a significant box-office disappointment. Affleck successfully rebounded in 2023 with the sports biopic Air, starring Matt Damon and Viola Davis, which achieved a near-perfect 97% audience score, restoring his directorial standing. Unfortunately, Animals fails to maintain that upward trajectory.
Despite its critical drubbing, Animals has paradoxically climbed to the top of Netflix’s internal charts, securing the No. 1 spot in the United States, surpassing other popular titles like Tyler Perry’s Doing Life and various Ice Age installments. The true measure of its viewership success, especially when compared to other recent thrillers like The Rip (also starring Damon and Affleck), remains to be seen.
Interestingly, the film’s development faced an early hurdle. Affleck disclosed in an interview with thescreescore.com’s Ash Crossan that the plot for Animals underwent significant revisions. Upon learning of a similar abduction-themed project, Highest 2 Lowest, being developed by industry titans Spike Lee and Denzel Washington, Affleck stated he "was not interested in competing with" two filmmakers he deeply admired. This led to a substantial retooling of the screenplay to differentiate his vision.
As for Affleck’s next move behind the camera, no immediate directorial projects have been announced. He typically observes a period of hiatus between his helming efforts, suggesting that fans may have to wait some time before his next cinematic offering. His future acting commitments also remain undisclosed. For now, Animals is available for streaming exclusively on Netflix, inviting viewers to form their own judgment on this divisive thriller.
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