Ben Affleck’s ‘Animals’ Has A Trailer

Here’s our first full trailer for Ben Affleck’s “Animals,” which is entirely skipping the fall festivals.

Following “Air,” this is Affleck’s latest stint behind the camera. He has cast himself in the lead role, alongside Kerry Washington, Steven Yeun, and Gillian Anderson (“The X-Files”).

Netflix has dated the film for an October 9 release. It will play “select theaters” a week before, to be eligible for awards consideration, just in case reception turns out better than expected.

Connor McIntyre wrote the script, with revisions by the always-reliable Billy Ray. The story will tackle an L.A. mayoral candidate (Affleck) and his wife (Anderson) whose son gets kidnapped. With most of their money gone due to campaign spending, they have just a few hours to “get their hands dirty” and come up with the ransom payment.

Although I wouldn’t call myself a fan of his filmography, Affleck in the director’s chair is always an interesting proposition. He’s directed four fairly well-reviewed films (“The Town,” “Gone Baby Gone,” “Air,” and “Argo”), including a Best Picture winner (“Argo”) but also a misfire (“Live by Night”).

An Affleck-directed film tends to stray far away from IP and lean more into adult-oriented dramas. No point in complaining about that. His films are old-school storytelling. “Animals” seems to be leaning in that direction once again.