Ben Affleck's 'Animals' a Baffling Cinematic Catastrophe

Ben Affleck's latest directorial endeavor, 'Animals,' now streaming on Netflix, has been met with severe criticism, with one review calling it a "catastrophe." The film, which Affleck also co-wrote and stars in, is a remake of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 masterpiece "High and Low." The narrative centers on Mark Kimball (Affleck), a mayoral candidate in Los Angeles who faces a kidnapping demand.

Unfortunately, Kimball has overextended his finances for his campaign, leaving him nearly broke. The plot unfolds as he seeks to secure the ransom money, with assistance from a mysterious fixer, Dayle Burton (Gillian Anderson). The situation becomes complicated when it's revealed the kidnapped child is not his own but belongs to his housekeeper's undocumented boyfriend, Ramón.

The film attempts to blend political drama and a kidnapping thriller, exploring themes of ambition, entitlement, and hypocrisy within Mark's campaign for mayor. His wife, Abigail (Kerry Washington), is also navigating an affair with a teacher named Ron. However, the script is heavily criticized for its weak writing and predictable emotional confrontations.

Reviewers note that the characters and plot points feel underdeveloped. Abigail's affair is barely explored, and Steven Yeun's role as a campaign manager is described as one-dimensional. Gillian Anderson's character, Dayle, is suggested to be in a different, more self-aware film. The ending is particularly lambasted as ludicrous and a departure from the thematic depth of previous adaptations.

Despite the potential for a compelling story set in Los Angeles, exploring class and privilege within the political sphere, "Animals" ultimately fails. The film's chaotic progression and unsatisfying conclusion suggest a significant misstep in its creative direction, leaving audiences bewildered. The review contrasts it unfavorably with the wit and structure of "Gone Girl."