Nocturnal Animals

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1:29

Nocturnal Animals

R

Released Dec 9, 2016

1h 56m

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

74%

Tomatometer

301 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

A successful Los Angeles art-gallery owner's idyllic life is marred by the constant traveling of her handsome second husband. While he is away, she is shaken by the arrival of a manuscript written by her first husband, who she has not seen in years. The manuscript tells the story of a teacher who finds a trip with his family turning into a nightmare. As Susan reads the book, it forces her to examine her past and confront some dark truths.

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Critics Consensus

Well-acted and lovely to look at, Nocturnal Animals further underscores writer-director Tom Ford's distinctive visual and narrative skill.

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Kambole Campbell

One Room With A View

A gorgeous, harrowing and occasionally bizarre meta-thriller that mixes multiple narrative threads together with beautiful visuals and a breathtaking score.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 25, 2018

Full Review

Kristen Lopez

Culturess

Nocturnal Animals is a frantic fever dream of the ways we betray and disappoint ourselves and those we love.

Nov 20, 2017

Full Review

K. Austin Collins

The Ringer

Nocturnal Animals ultimately reaches for something that isn't there, and falters. Ford is the consummate commercial artist, but he seems to hate it - while still, as an artist, trafficking in it.

Aug 10, 2017

Full Review

Trace Thurman

Horror Queers Podcast

Gorgeously shot and deeply affecting, Tom Ford's packs a gut punch of a revenge tale into his sophomore effort.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 12, 2025

Full Review

Joe Lipsett

Horror Queers Podcast

A slightly messy, but gorgeous sophomore outing from Tom Ford finds Adams playing against type in an understated tale of revenge. Gyllenhaal and Shannon are solid, and the tension in the highway scenes is palpable.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 5, 2025

Full Review

Peter Bell

Vague Visages

With great color, style and technique, Ford haunts the audience with the disappointments of our absurd world.

Jun 22, 2023

Full Review

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Akatsuki M

It'a nice and well constructed movie, but I think the message behind it should have been delivered in a better way; the plot feels too weird and stretched.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/13/25

Full Review

Marc B

Love it. A nice revenge tale. Adams is really great and Jake also. The last scene is great. A bit too long but still a great movie to me with awesome music, editing and visuels.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/02/25

Full Review

Dag S

Great acting and filming. A movie who forces the audience to think.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/25

Full Review

Sarfaraz A

Tom Ford directed this psychological thriller, which stars my two favourites, Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Shannon. Shannon was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards, but did not win, which is a tragedy and another badge of shame for the Academy. The film has a distinctive narrative approach, bringing forth scenes and characters straight from the novel read by Amy Adams, who portrays Jake Gyllenhaal's ex-wife, who gave her his manuscript dedicated to her to read, and whom Amy had left due to his lack of life goals. I mostly liked the novel's plot, which is heightened by its criminal undertones. The fact that Tom created a narrative inside a story is clever.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/23/25

Full Review

Priyan B

Average watch. Rating: 6/10

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/10/25

Full Review

samuel q

A very engaging and entertaining film. The multifaceted approach to the character development really connects the dots of the plot. The level depth supplied to both storylines is impeccable. Speaking of impeccable, the acting is incredible. Must watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/08/25

Full Review

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Tom Ford

Director

Amy Adams

Susan Morrow

Jake Gyllenhaal

Tony Hastings

Michael Shannon

Bobby Andes

Aaron Taylor-Johnson

Ray Marcus

Isla Fisher

Laura Hastings

Nocturnal Animals: Official Clip - Pull Over!

2:36

Nocturnal Animals: Official Clip - A Good Man

1:45

Nocturnal Animals: Official Clip - Get in My Car

2:55

Nocturnal Animals: Official Clip - Do You Love Me?

2:00

Nocturnal Animals: Official Clip - Did They Suffer?

2:11

Nocturnal Animals: Official Clip - A Nice Guy Like You

2:55

Nocturnal Animals: Official Clip - Recognize this Man?

1:45

Nocturnal Animals: Official Clip - Any Last Words?

2:59

Nocturnal Animals: Official Clip - Make Him Suffer

2:59

Nocturnal Animals: Official Clip - Eyes Like Your Mother

2:37

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Nocturnal Animals: Trailer 2

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Nocturnal Animals: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A successful Los Angeles art-gallery owner's idyllic life is marred by the constant traveling of her handsome second husband. While he is away, she is shaken by the arrival of a manuscript written by her first husband, who she has not seen in years. The manuscript tells the story of a teacher who finds a trip with his family turning into a nightmare. As Susan reads the book, it forces her to examine her past and confront some dark truths.

Director: Tom Ford
Producer: Tom Ford, Robert Salerno
Screenwriter: Tom Ford
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Focus Features, Artina Films, Fade to Black Productions
Rating: R (Language|Graphic Nudity|Menace|Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 9, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 7, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $10.4M
Runtime: 1h 56m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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