Netflix’s ‘Animals’ Cast and Who Plays Who in Ben Affleck’s Thriller (With Photos)
The Netflix’s ‘Animals’ cast now has faces and character names attached, after the streamer released a debut trailer and a set of first look photos. The thriller arrives on Netflix and in select theaters on October 9. Ben Affleck directs and cowrote the film in addition to starring in it.
The story follows a Los Angeles mayoral candidate and his wife, who are drawn into a web of deception when their son is kidnapped. The wider ensemble also includes Adriana Paz, Luis Gerardo Méndez, Ray Fisher, Matt Gerald, Mark Kassen and Jacob Estrada. Here is a closer look at the key players in the ‘Animals’ cast, starting with the man behind the camera.
Ben Affleck
Affleck plays Mark Kimball, a mayoral candidate introduced as a successful politician, a loving father and a doting husband. That polished image cracks when his son is kidnapped.
The screenplay was cowritten by Connor McIntyre and Billy Ray, with Affleck also contributing to the writing. He was not the original lead, however. Matt Damon was first cast in the role, but he dropped out because of scheduling conflicts with ‘The Odyssey’, and Affleck stepped in himself.
Affleck was previously seen in the Netflix film ‘The Rip’ alongside Damon earlier this year. According to Netflix Tudum, Affleck looked for actors who were good collaborators when he assembled his cast.
Kerry Washington
Kerry Washington plays Abigail, the wife of Affleck’s character. Affleck has said the film is also about the delicate balance of a happy marriage. That makes her role central to how the kidnapping plays out.
Washington is an Emmy winner known for ‘Scandal’ and ‘The Six Triple Eight’. Netflix announced on February 10, 2025 that she and Steven Yeun had joined the project.
Netflix released new first look photos of Affleck and Washington’s characters alongside the teaser. One line in the trailer warns the couple that whatever secrets they have kept from one another need to come out now.
Gillian Anderson
Gillian Anderson plays Dayle, a mysterious fixer who tells Mark and Abigail that their son’s life is at stake. The character appears to be the figure who pulls the couple deeper into the situation.
Anderson was attached to star alongside Affleck before Washington and Yeun were announced. Netflix also describes her as an Emmy winner.
Her credits include ‘The X-Files’, ‘The Crown’ and ‘Sex Education’. ‘Sex Education’ in particular was a big show for the streamer, which gives her a familiar presence for Netflix subscribers.
Steven Yeun
Steven Yeun plays Sam, who serves as the campaign manager for Affleck’s mayoral candidate. That puts him close to the political machinery that surrounds the family.
Netflix lists Yeun as an Emmy winner. He is well known to Netflix audiences for the first season of ‘Beef’ opposite Ali Wong, and he earlier played Glenn Rhee in ‘The Walking Dead’.
This is the second Netflix film Yeun has made with Affleck this year, following ‘The Rip’. Based on the trailer, his role looks substantial.
Christopher Woodley
Christopher Woodley plays Denny, the son whose kidnapping sets the entire story in motion. His previous work includes ‘Our Son’.
The rest of the supporting cast adds notable credentials. Adriana Paz is a Cannes Best Actress winner, and Ray Fisher previously played Cyborg alongside Affleck’s Batman in ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’. Luis Gerardo Méndez rounds out the group.
The film runs one hour and 46 minutes, and production was based in and around Los Angeles. With a kidnapped son at the center and secrets between two parents set to surface, which character do you think will carry the most weight when the truth comes out in ‘Animals’?
