Ben Affleck’s upcoming thriller Animals has officially received its full trailer, giving audiences a closer look at the tense kidnapping drama coming to Netflix this October. Affleck stars in, directs, and co-wrote the film, which also features Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson, Steven Yeun and Adriana Paz. The official trailer, released on September 15, 2026, introduces a seemingly successful Los Angeles mayoral candidate whose carefully controlled life begins to collapse after his son is kidnapped.

‘Animals’ Trailer: A Family’s Life Turns Into a Nightmare

The trailer begins by presenting Mark Kimball, played by Ben Affleck, as a successful politician, husband and father. His public image suggests a man who has his life under control. That changes dramatically when his son, Denny, is kidnapped. Mark and his wife Abigail, played by Kerry Washington, are forced to find a way to raise the ransom while dealing with a growing number of secrets. The situation puts their marriage and personal identities under enormous pressure. Netflix describes the film as a story in which the couple’s desperate attempt to save their son forces them into choices that could completely destroy their carefully constructed world.

Ben Affleck Takes on Multiple Roles

Animals is particularly notable because Affleck is not simply the lead actor. He serves as director, co-writer and star of the movie. The film marks his return to directing following Air and adds another crime-focused project to his filmmaking career. The screenplay is credited to Connor McIntyre and Billy Ray, with Affleck also contributing as a co-writer. The movie is produced through Artists Equity, the studio founded by Affleck, Matt Damon and Gerry Cardinale of RedBird Capital.

Kerry Washington Plays Affleck’s Wife

Kerry Washington takes on the role of Abigail Kimball, Mark’s wife. The trailer suggests that Abigail is more than simply a supporting character. As the kidnapping crisis develops, the couple’s relationship becomes one of the film’s central sources of tension. According to Affleck, the story is deeply interested in marriage, trust, moral choices and what happens when a crisis forces people to reveal things they have kept hidden.

Gillian Anderson Adds Another Mysterious Layer

Emmy-winning actress Gillian Anderson also plays an important role in the thriller as Dayle, a mysterious fixer who becomes involved in the couple’s desperate situation. The trailer hints that Dayle knows more than she initially reveals, adding another layer of uncertainty to the kidnapping story. The cast also includes Steven Yeun, Adriana Paz, Luis Gerardo Méndez, Ray Fisher, Christopher Woodley and Matt Gerald.

What Is ‘Animals’ About?

The story follows Mark Kimball, a Los Angeles mayoral candidate whose son is kidnapped during his political campaign. Mark and Abigail must somehow secure the ransom while protecting their family and dealing with the consequences of their decisions. But the kidnapping isn’t the only threat. As the crisis unfolds, secrets within their marriage begin coming to light. Netflix’s official description summarizes the premise as a race to raise the ransom while making decisions that could tear the couple’s world apart.

A Thriller About More Than a Kidnapping

Although Animals has the basic ingredients of a crime thriller, its story appears to go beyond the kidnapping itself. The trailer raises questions about morality, marriage, identity, secrets and public image. Mark is a politician accustomed to presenting a carefully managed image to voters, but the kidnapping forces him and Abigail to confront who they really are when their normal lives disappear. Affleck has described the movie as being interested in the difference between how people see themselves and how they behave when pushed into extreme circumstances.

When Will ‘Animals’ Release on Netflix?

Animals is scheduled to arrive on Netflix on October 9, 2026. The film will also receive a limited theatrical release on the same date. The movie has a reported runtime of approximately 1 hour and 48 minutes and is classified as a thriller, with crime, drama and social-issue elements. Netflix India currently lists the film as U/A 16+.

Why ‘Animals’ Could Attract Netflix Viewers

The combination of a high-profile Hollywood star, a kidnapping mystery and a family relationship at the center of the story gives Animals several elements commonly associated with suspense-driven streaming movies. Affleck is also returning to the director’s chair while starring in the lead role, giving the project an additional point of interest. The movie reunites Affleck with Steven Yeun following their work together on The Rip, while Kerry Washington and Gillian Anderson bring further star power to the ensemble.

The Animals trailer presents a dark, tense and mysterious thriller rather than a straightforward kidnapping movie. Its biggest hook appears to be the way the family’s personal secrets become just as important as the external threat. With Ben Affleck directing and starring, Kerry Washington playing his onscreen wife and Gillian Anderson adding an enigmatic presence, Animals is positioned as one of Netflix’s major thriller releases for October 2026. Fans of crime dramas, psychological thrillers and high-stakes family mysteries can watch Animals when it arrives on Netflix on October 9, 2026.