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Hollywood actor and filmmaker Ben Affleck is set to return to the director’s chair with Animals, an upcoming political crime thriller scheduled to arrive in select cinemas and on Netflix later this year.
The film is scheduled for release on October 9, 2026, marking one of Affleck’s latest projects as a director, writer and leading actor.
Ben Affleck Leads The Political Thriller
Affleck plays Mark Kimball, a prominent Los Angeles mayoral candidate whose political ambitions are thrown into turmoil when his young son is kidnapped during his campaign.
What begins as a high-profile political race quickly turns into a desperate fight for his family. Faced with an abduction and a ransom demand, Kimball and his wife, Abigail, must find a way to secure the money needed to bring their son home.
However, the situation becomes increasingly complicated as the couple encounter a dangerous web of deception, hidden motives and dark secrets.
As Kimball attempts to maintain control of his political campaign while dealing with the crisis privately, he is forced to confront circumstances that could threaten both his family and his public image.
Kerry Washington Stars As Abigail
Kerry Washington joins Affleck as Abigail Kimball, the wife of the mayoral candidate and the mother of the kidnapped child.
The story places the couple at the centre of a tense situation as they work together to respond to the kidnapping and meet the demands surrounding their son’s safe return.
The film also features a strong supporting cast, including Gillian Anderson, Steven Yeun, Ray Fisher and Luis Gerardo Méndez.
Their involvement adds further depth to a story that combines political ambition with crime, family pressure and suspense.
Affleck Directs And Co-Writes
In addition to starring in Animals, Affleck serves as the film’s director and co-writer.
The project continues his work behind the camera, following previous directing efforts that have established him as both an actor and filmmaker.
The production is being made under Artists Equity, the production company founded by Affleck and his longtime collaborator Matt Damon.
The company has been involved in several film projects since its creation, with Affleck taking an active role in both producing and developing new stories.
Matt Damon Was Originally Attached
The project also has an interesting connection to Matt Damon.
Damon was initially expected to play the lead role in Animals, but he eventually stepped away from the project because of scheduling conflicts with Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film The Odyssey.
Affleck subsequently took on the lead role himself, alongside his responsibilities as director and co-writer.
The change allowed the longtime collaborators to remain connected to the production through Artists Equity, even though Affleck ultimately became the film’s central star.
Oscar-Winning Cinematographer Behind The Camera
Animals also boasts an experienced creative team behind the scenes.
The film’s cinematography was handled by Oscar-winning cinematographer Robert Elswit, known for his work on acclaimed productions including There Will Be Blood.
Elswit’s involvement brings considerable experience in visual storytelling to the political crime thriller, particularly a story that depends heavily on tension, secrecy and the emotional pressure surrounding a family crisis.
October Release Planned
Animals is scheduled to premiere in select theatres before becoming available to a wider audience through Netflix on October 9, 2026.
With Affleck directing and starring, Washington leading the supporting cast and a story built around political ambition, kidnapping and family secrets, the film is positioned as a major crime-thriller release.
The movie will explore how quickly a carefully constructed public life can unravel when a personal crisis forces powerful people to make difficult decisions.
As Mark Kimball fights to save his son, he must also navigate the dangerous secrets surrounding the abduction, creating a story where political power, family loyalty and survival collide.
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