Ben Affleck is no stranger to déjà vu. Back in 1998, his sci-fi epic Armageddon went head-to-head with Deep Impact, two movies with nearly identical plots. Now, history is repeating itself—but this time, it's on the small screen. Affleck's latest directorial effort, Animals, hit Netflix on October 9, just months after Spike Lee's Highest 2 Lowest premiered on Apple TV+. Both films are modern takes on Akira Kurosawa's classic High and Low, and both have sparked plenty of conversation.
A Tale of Two Remakes
Spike Lee's version, starring Denzel Washington and Jeffrey Wright, earned rave reviews and a "Certified Fresh" 83% on Rotten Tomatoes. Affleck's Animals, on the other hand, has been met with a less enthusiastic reception—currently sitting at a 36% score. That puts it just above his 2016 gangster drama Live By Night (34%) as his second-lowest-rated film as a director. But here's the twist: despite the critics, audiences are flocking to it.
Netflix Domination
According to FlixPatrol, Animals has clawed its way to the number-one spot on Netflix's global charts, both domestically and worldwide. It's a familiar pattern for Affleck, who earlier this year starred in the hit crime-thriller The Rip alongside Matt Damon—a film that also topped streaming charts and set a high bar with over 100 million views. Animals is now aiming to match that milestone.
What's the Story?
The plot follows a mayoral candidate whose son is kidnapped, forcing him into a moral nightmare when criminals blackmail him. A mid-movie twist flips the narrative, plunging the protagonist into an even deeper ethical quagmire. It's a premise that blends the tension of Taken with the political intrigue of House of Cards, making it a perfect fit for binge-watchers.
Affleck's Directorial Track Record
Despite the lukewarm reviews, Affleck's directorial career remains impressive. His other four features—Gone Baby Gone, The Town, Argo, and Live by Night—are all "Certified Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes, with scores in the 90s. Argo remains his crowning achievement, winning the Oscar for Best Picture nearly 15 years ago and holding a 96% score. Animals may not be his critical best, but it's proving to be a streaming juggernaut.
Star-Studded Cast
Beyond Affleck, Animals boasts an ensemble cast including Kerry Washington, Steven Yeun, Gillian Anderson, Adriana Paz, and Luis Gerardo Méndez. Their performances have been a highlight for many viewers, even if the film's overall execution has divided critics.
If you're in the mood for a tense thriller with a political edge, Animals is now streaming on Netflix. And if you're looking for more streaming gems, check out our list of Netflix originals that defined a decade or dive into Harlan Coben's latest thriller. For those who prefer a different kind of scare, The Conjuring: Unspoken just landed on Netflix with a twist. And if you're a fan of Affleck's earlier work, you might enjoy Scorsese's near-perfect crime thriller currently dominating HBO Max.
Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on Animals and all your favorite streaming hits.
