Netflix film ranks among top ten
The Netflix film Animals, released on October 9, has appeared in the list of the ten most-watched movies on the platform. The film's ending has particularly intrigued viewers, many of whom are still questioning its details.Plot summary and main characters
In Animals, Ben Affleck portrays Mark Kimball, a candidate for the mayor of Los Angeles. The politician's life is completely upended when, one evening, while he is with his wife Abigail (Kerry Washington), he receives a call from a voice-modified criminal claiming to have kidnapped his son, Denny.The ransom demand and its consequences
The terror begins for the parents, who have no choice but to pay seven million dollars in ransom if they ever want to see their child again. But who is behind this kidnapping? Why was Mark Kimball's family targeted?Mark's political ambitions and family secrets
Mark Kimball has always pursued his political ambitions. His wife is a respected therapist but also hides some secrets. One evening, their son Denny goes to a Halloween party with his friend Hector. While Mark and Abigail are at home preparing for Mark's next public appearance, they receive an anonymous call from someone claiming to have kidnapped their son.The twist in the kidnapping
The parents, quickly panicking, agree to pay the millions demanded as ransom, even though they don't have the money, as all their savings have been used in Mark Kimball's campaign. To find the money, they turn to Dayle Burton, a mysterious and effective woman who can destabilize criminals. While Abigail accuses her husband of making their family life public and thereby vulnerable, Denny returns home.The revelation and political motives
Mark and Abigail immediately relieve the pressure. However, when Cecilia, the governess, and Ramon, the gardener, return to the house bloodied and panicked, Mark realizes that the criminal has made a mistake: he did not kidnap Denny, but Hector, thinking he was the first boy. Mark eventually agrees to pay the ransom, even though it is not his son, because this act could benefit him politically and increase his chances with the Latino community.Personal conflicts and resolution
Meanwhile, Mark learns that his wife is having an affair with a professor, but the couple manages to overcome this trial and forgive each other. After a night of negotiations, Mark gathers the money and goes to the location demanded by the kidnapper, who is not working alone. The main hero is closely followed by Dayle Burton and her henchman.The climax and aftermath
Once at the location, Mark finds Hector safe and sound and deposits the money as agreed. Two kidnappers are killed by Dayle's henchman, while the last one dies after a shot from Ramon, who hid to avoid being noticed. However, during the firefight, Dayle Burton is shot in the shoulder. Instead of saving her, Mark Kimball decides to let her die.Unanswered questions and thematic focus
If he were to help her, it would mean he would have to repay the eight million dollars she lent him. Thus, to avoid an extreme financial situation, he prefers not to help her and gives the money to Ramon so he can start a new life in Mexico with Cecilia and Hector. When Ben Affleck arrives at the ransom location, the kidnapper tells him by phone that he wants back what was taken from him. However, he does not provide any additional information, neither about himself, his family, nor his connection to Mark Kimball. Animals deliberately leaves these details aside to focus more on the dynamics of the Mark/Abigail couple and how their actions led to the kidnapping of a child.
