The Animal Kingdom

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1:39

The Animal Kingdom

Released Mar 15, 2024

2h 8m

Sci-Fi

Fantasy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

59 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

In THE ANIMAL KINGDOM, a visionary new thriller that drops viewers into an extraordinary world where mutations in human genetics cause people to transform into hybrid creatures, François (Roman Duris) does everything he can to save his wife, who is affected by this mysterious condition. As some of the creatures disappear into a nearby forest, François embarks with Emile (Paul Kircher), their 16-year-old son, on a quest to find her with help from a local police officer (Adèle Exarchopoulos).

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Critics Consensus

The Animal Kingdom's talented cast anchors its more fantastical elements in human emotion, helping offset a superficial treatment of thought-provoking themes.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Thomas Cailley’s sci-fi fantasy has too much sensitivity and good taste to be the proper horror-thriller or creature feature that it almost resembles.

Rated: 3/5

May 1, 2024

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David Fear

Rolling Stone

Stay for how Kircher and Duris embed a father-son story into the fantastical elements, and transform a far-out tale of genetics run amuck into an elegy about the pain of letting go.

Mar 20, 2024

Full Review

Monica Castillo

RogerEbert.com

The movie is effective in its ability to make us emphasize for the hunted “others” as well as observe how humanity becomes the very thing it fears: monstrous in its attempt to restore law and order.

Rated: 4/4

Mar 16, 2024

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Anya Couture

Geek Vibes Nation

Perhaps not as confident or deft in connecting the writing of the film to its thematic material but Duris and Kircher as father and son immerse you into an unconditional love that feels anything but trite.

Rated: 7.5/10

Aug 10, 2025

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Marcelo Stiletano

La Nación (Argentina)

If only one definition fits, this is a story of discovery and learning sifted with enough fantastic elements to deserve recognition as an atypical work, different from all the others. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/5

Oct 18, 2024

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Diego Batlle

Otroscines.com

An always unpredictable film that pendulates between (sub)genres... going from the serious to the comic and vice versa quite naturally and with a very visual and creative display. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 3.5/5

Oct 16, 2024

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Arya S

A fantastical idea that is grounded in heartfelt human emotions, as a father and son navigate a world where people are turning into hybrid animals.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/22/24

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Audience Member

The title is really a metaphor. This movie is all about humanity. How we sometimes give in to our fears and ignorance and how sometimes we shines through despite the impossible odds. It's savage, delicate, and glorious if we understand and make the best of the animal within us.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/29/24

Full Review

Avindu G

Story that underlies is equally heartbreaking as the one on surface in this unique pandemic drama. Every dialogue and an expression of characters brings value to the story that's what's remarkable about the movie. It's haunting at times but the mutated beings symbolizes an innocence beyond human comprehension. Cinematography and visual effects were perfect for the job. Audio effects are excellent. Cast does an impressive job in unfolding this heartbreaking tale with their sincere performances that's just the right amount. Animal kingdom can definitely place it self as a movie with both reason and artistry.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/21/24

Full Review

Aurelie B

Le cinéma français s'améliore, je suis surprise ! Un scénario original, nouveau tout frais qui ne ressemble a aucun film. Des effets spéciaux vraiment sympa, bientôt à la hauteur des productions hollywoodiennes ? 😜 Bon film 😊

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/22/24

Full Review

Darrin D

Beautifully shot but plodding. I fell asleep less than halfway through it.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/18/24

Full Review

Matthew R

Unsatisfying but cute. Interesting plot that needed more development

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/14/24

Full Review

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Thomas Cailley

Director

Romain Duris

François Marindaze

Paul Kircher

Émile Marindaze

Adèle Exarchopoulos

Julia Izquierdo

Tom Mercier

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The Animal Kingdom: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In THE ANIMAL KINGDOM, a visionary new thriller that drops viewers into an extraordinary world where mutations in human genetics cause people to transform into hybrid creatures, François (Roman Duris) does everything he can to save his wife, who is affected by this mysterious condition. As some of the creatures disappear into a nearby forest, François embarks with Emile (Paul Kircher), their 16-year-old son, on a quest to find her with help from a local police officer (Adèle Exarchopoulos).

Director: Thomas Cailley
Producer: Pierre Guyard
Screenwriter: Thomas Cailley, Pauline Munier
Distributor: Magnet Releasing
Production Co: Nord-Ouest Films, StudioCanal, Artémis Productions, France 2 Cinéma, Shelter prod
Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Drama
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 15, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 15, 2024
Box Office (Gross USA): $11.5K
Runtime: 2h 8m
Aspect Ratio: Digital 2.39:1

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