Ben Affleck’s Animals Gets New Trailer Ahead of Netflix Debut

Netflix has released a second short trailer for Animals, an upcoming feature directed by and starring Ben Affleck, ahead of its streaming debut on October 9, 2026.

The film centers on Los Angeles mayoral candidate Mark Kimball, played by Affleck, whose seemingly perfect life is upended when his son is kidnapped. Kimball and his wife, Abigail — portrayed by Kerry Washington — find themselves drawn into a web of deception as they scramble to raise a ransom payment in a matter of hours. Much of the couple’s money has already been spent on the mayoral campaign, forcing them to expose buried secrets and make choices that could tear their world apart.

Kimballs Face Scandals and Secrets in New Preview

The new preview highlights the mounting pressure on the Kimballs, including a montage of possible scandals such as infidelity and under-the-table deals. In the footage, Washington’s character accuses her husband of being the architect of the situation as the couple breaks under stress. The kidnapper of their child might use past secrets to come after them, urging the pair to come clean with each other.

Alongside Affleck and Washington, the cast features Steven Yeun, Gillian Anderson, Luis Gerardo Méndez, Adriana Paz, Ray Fisher, Matt Gerald, and Mark Kassen.

Affleck Uses Artificial Intelligence in New Feature

Affleck directed the project and co-wrote the screenplay alongside Connor McIntyre (also referenced as Connor O. McIntyre) and Billy Ray. Production on the feature drew attention after Affleck revealed that the movie would use artificial intelligence, placing it at the center of controversy as the use of generative AI remains a topic of contention in Hollywood.

Affleck’s previous directorial efforts include Gone Baby Gone, The Town, and Argo.