The suspenseful debut trailer and a number of first-look photos for the much-awaited R-rated thriller by Ben Affleck titled Animals have just been released by Netflix. We seem to be in for a rough and tense ride. The movie was initially postponed after it was first announced back in 2024. Now, it is up and ready for release on October 9, 2026.

But before the release day finally comes, there is some time to get acquainted with the ensemble of the Netflix thriller. 

Ben Affleck as Milo Bradford: Apart from writing, directing, and producing Animals for Netflix, Affleck also portrays the lead, Milo Bradford, a candidate for mayor of Los Angeles whose political career is thrown into disarray by the kidnapping of his son. He was previously seen in Netflix’s The Rip alongside Matt Damon earlier this year.

Kerry Washington as Milo’s wife: As the couple's seemingly ideal life starts to fall apart, her character becomes just as crucial to the frantic effort to retrieve their son. She is best known for her work in Scandal, The Six Triple Eight, and many more.

Gillian Anderson as Mrs. Bradford: Anderson participates in the main family plot alongside Affleck and Washington. She joined the cast in February 2025 and is well-known for her appearances in The X-Files, S** Education, The Crown, etc.

Steven Yeun: Additionally, Steven Yeun plays a part in the movie that has mostly been kept secret. Yeun's participation brings another well-known figure to the ensemble after his critically lauded roles in Minari, Beef, and Nope.

The additional cast includes Luis Gerardo Méndez (Narcos: Mexico, Murder Mystery), Adriana Paz (Vis a Vis), Ray Fisher (Zack Snyder’s Justice League, Rebel Moon), Christopher Woodley (Our Son), Matt Gerald (Avatar, Daredevil), and Jacob Estrada. The roster looks packed with some of the heavy-hitters of the industry, and with Ben Affleck at the helm of affairs, it goes without saying that this one will be a banger too.

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The casting would have looked different if somethings would have gone the way Ben Affleck originally wanted.

Matt Damon was originally supposed to play the lead, but he left because of obligations to Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey; therefore, Ben Affleck took over. In early 2024, Jennifer Garner was also in early negotiations for the wife role. However, for reasons unknown, that did not happen, and Ben Affleck and Kerry Washington are now the main pair.

However, Damon did assume the role of one of the producers of the project along with Brad Weston, Collin Creighton, Ben Affleck, Dani Bernfeld, and Luciana Damon. The film is the most recent creation under Affleck and Damon's Artists Equity label, which has a lucrative multi-year contract with Netflix. Animals hits the streamer on October 9, 2026.   

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What do you think of the cast of Netflix’s Animals? Do let us know in the comments.