Ben Affleck’s Critically-Panned Political Thriller Is a Massive Netflix Hit
Ben Affleck’s political thriller *Animals* topped Netflix’s global viewing chart despite receiving poor reviews, showing that the streamer’s mid-budget genre films can attract large audiences. Its success could extend Netflix’s run of thrillers and other originals that have reached 100 million views.
The film follows a Los Angeles mayoral candidate whose life unravels after his child is kidnapped for ransom. It recorded nearly 24 million views worldwide between 5 and 11 October, although it had been available for only three days. *Animals* has a 32% Rotten Tomatoes score, the lowest for a film directed by Affleck.
- *Animals* topped Netflix’s global chart.
- It earned nearly 24 million views in three days.
- Its 32% score is the lowest for an Affleck-directed film.
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Los Angeles is the largest city in California, and its mayor leads the city government. A mayoral candidate is someone campaigning to become mayor. Political thrillers use suspense and crime to explore power, public life and personal crises.
Animals centres on a candidate whose child is kidnapped and held for ransom, putting his family and political ambitions under pressure. Ben Affleck directed the film and stars in it; he is also known as an actor and filmmaker. The film’s reception illustrates that audience interest and reviews from critics do not always align.