Ben Affleck's new Netflix thriller "Animals" arrives as a disappointing entry in his directing catalogue, according to a Guardian review. The film, set in Los Angeles, marks Affleck's return to crime-and-politics territory after earlier successes like "The Town," but the reviewer finds it surprisingly listless and anonymous compared to better films in the genre.
Affleck stars as Mark Kimball, an independent candidate running for mayor of Los Angeles. His character juggles an improbable backstory as a former teacher, lawyer and Gulf War veteran, all while leveraging his family wealth to fund a tight campaign. Tensions simmer with his wife Abby, played by Kerry Washington, who carries her own undisclosed problems.
The plot shifts when Kimball receives a Halloween phone call. Kidnappers have taken his preteen son Denny, demanding $7 million that Mark does not have. The reviewer notes that Kimball scarcely demonstrates any political platform in his stump speeches and interviews, raising questions about his candidacy's logic.
The Guardian critic situates "Animals" within Affleck's established wheelhouse but expresses puzzlement at his directing career's apparent stall. Though Affleck has never received a best director Oscar nomination, his 2013 film "Argo" won best picture. His earlier Boston-set thrillers demonstrated range, from the artistically ambitious "Gone Baby Gone" to the crowd-pleasing "The Town." Yet as Affleck's acting career has stabilized through steady work and production roles with Matt Damon's company, his direction seems to have lost momentum.
The core criticism centers on execution. Despite fitting naturally into Affleck's preferred setting and genre, "Animals" fails to generate the energy or distinctiveness that characterizes his strongest work. The reviewer suggests the film feels more generic than purposeful, a surprising misstep for a director who has proven capable of better.