Ben Affleck and Kerry Washington Face Chilling Kidnapping Plot in First Trailer for Netflix Thriller ‘Animals’
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Post By
DJ Longers
- August 14, 2026
‘Every Parent’s Nightmare’: Ben Affleck and Kerry Washington Face Chilling Kidnapping Plot in First Trailer for Netflix Thriller ‘Animals’
LOS ANGELES — Netflix has unveiled the heart-pounding first teaser trailer for Animals, an upcoming crime thriller starring Oscar winner Ben Affleck and Emmy nominee Kerry Washington (trailer below).
Directed by Affleck from a script co-written alongside Connor O. McIntyre and Billy Ray, the high-stakes feature follows a prominent Los Angeles mayoral candidate and his wife whose lives are shattered when their young son is abducted.
The film, which lands in select UK cinemas and on the streaming platform on 9th October, marks the latest high-profile collaboration between Netflix and Artists Equity, the artist-led production studio founded by Affleck and his longtime creative partner Matt Damon.
A Tense, Dialogue-Free First Look
The suspenseful, dialogue-free teaser trailer opens on an idyllic domestic scene featuring Los Angeles mayoral candidate Mark Kimball (Affleck), his wife Abigail (Washington), and their young son (Christopher Woodley).
However, the tranquil atmosphere swiftly dissolves into panic as a vibrating mobile phone interrupts their evening. The parents are confronted with a chilling demand from an unknown caller, triggering a desperate race against time to raise the ransom money.
According to Netflix’s official synopsis:
"When their son is kidnapped, a Los Angeles mayoral candidate and his wife find themselves drawn into a web of deception. As they scramble to raise the ransom payment, they're forced to make choices that could tear their world apart."
An Ensemble Cast of Heavyweights
Beyond Affleck and Washington, Animals boasts a formidable supporting cast.
The Crown star Gillian Anderson appears in the teaser as a figure connected to the high-stakes law enforcement investigation, while Steven Yeun (Beef) plays an aide within Kimball’s political campaign.
The ensemble is rounded out by Adriana Paz (Emilia Pérez), Ray Fisher (Justice League), Luis Gerardo Méndez (Murder Mystery), and Mark Kassen.
Production Profile — Netflix’s ‘Animals’
| Project Element | Official Production Details |
| Director | Ben Affleck (Argo, The Town) |
| Screenwriters | Connor O. McIntyre, Billy Ray, and Ben Affleck |
| Lead Cast | Ben Affleck (Mark Kimball), Kerry Washington (Abigail Kimball) |
| Supporting Cast | Gillian Anderson, Steven Yeun, Adriana Paz, Ray Fisher |
| Cinematographer | Robert Elswit (There Will Be Blood, Nightcrawler) |
| Production Banner | Artists Equity & Makeready |
| Release Date | 9th October 2026 (Select Theatres & Netflix) |
Artists Equity Continues Netflix Momentum
Shot by Oscar-winning cinematographer Robert Elswit, Animals represents Artists Equity's second major feature release with Netflix following the crime thriller The Rip earlier this year.
Under Artists Equity's unique profit-sharing model, performance-based bonuses are distributed across cast and crew members once viewership milestones are achieved on the platform.
With its October debut positioned at the start of the autumn award-season corridor, Animals is set to be one of Netflix's flagship cinematic offerings of the season.
