Nocturnal Animals

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Nocturnal Animals

R

Released Dec 9, 2016

1h 56m

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Drama

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Popcornmeter

74%

Tomatometer

299 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

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

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

The film's emotions remain profound, unnerving, and at times downright spellbinding.

Rated: 3.5/4

Apr 5, 2022

Full Review

Toussaint Egan

Polygon

Nocturnal Animals is a dark, dense, and beautifully crafted thriller with a killer ending that will stick with you long after it's over.

Oct 22, 2021

Full Review

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Peter A

Susan Morrow butchered her first husband as surely as the hijackers raped and butchered Tony's wife and daughter... she is a nocturnal animal.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/11/24

Full Review

Jaiaditya T

Michael Shannon carries the entire film with his performance.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/10/24

Full Review

Ian H

Very clever, well conceived and well acted thriller with a twist.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/23/24

Full Review

Audience Member

I liked the scenes that focused on the book's story, but other than that, it was pretty boring. People say, "You didn’t understand it; you have to look closer." Honestly, the message of the movie isn’t something worth “looking closer” at. I get that they’re trying to tell something, but it could have been done better. The acting was okay, nothing special , except Jack Gyllenhaal,. Overall, it’s just an 'okay' movie. Whether you watch it or skip it, you won’t be missing much.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/02/24

Full Review

David S

Impossible to watch, couldn't get through 30 minutes, absolutely terrible, contrived and implausible, which really doesn't work in a "true life" setup. Criminal waste of decent acting talent on a dire script.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/29/24

Full Review

vividsoup s

Something about this movie just sticks with you. The story may be a bit slow at points but the first third is very tense and the rest keeps you engaged revealing the why of what happened. Music by Korzeniowski is excellent and sets the mood.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/17/24

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

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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

1:29

Nocturnal Animals: Trailer 1

2:06

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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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