Ben Affleck's directing career has generally been a safe bet for quality, with hits like Argo and The Town earning critical acclaim. But his latest project, the Netflix thriller Animals, has hit a new low. The film, which dropped on the streaming giant on October 9, has received a dismal 33% score on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the worst-reviewed movie of his directorial career.

The political thriller stars Affleck himself alongside Kerry Washington, Steven Yeun, Gillian Anderson, and Ray Fisher. It's inspired by Akira Kurosawa's classic High and Low, which was recently remade by Spike Lee as Highest 2 Lowest. Lee's version, featuring Denzel Washington and Jeffrey Wright, earned a Certified Fresh 83% on Rotten Tomatoes after its release on Apple TV+. In contrast, Animals has struggled to find favor with critics.

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Collider's own Robert Brian Taylor noted in his review that "Affleck is unable to weave the movie's various mission statements together in a way that proves compelling." That sentiment seems to be shared by many reviewers, as the film's score sits just one point below his previous low, the 2016 gangster drama Live By Night, which holds a 34%.

For context, Affleck's other directorial efforts have been widely praised. Argo, which won the Best Picture Oscar, holds a 96% critics' score and a 90% audience score. Gone Baby Gone, his debut, sits at 94% with critics and 86% with audiences. The Town is at 92% and 85%, respectively. His most recent hit, Air, earned a Certified Fresh 93% from critics and a Verified Hot 97% from audiences.

Despite this stumble, Affleck remains a busy figure in Hollywood. He also starred in and produced the 2026 Netflix hit The Rip, which performed well for the streamer. And for those looking for more gripping thrillers, check out our list of steamy thrillers that are also cinematic masterpieces.

Animals is now streaming on Netflix. If you're curious about other recent streaming releases, you might also enjoy our Netflix binge guide for October 12. And for fans of political intrigue, Apple TV's Disclaimer offers a compelling psychological thriller.

Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on Animals and all your favorite movies and shows.