The Animal
The Animal

Movie spotlight

The Animal

2018
Movie
24 min
Norwegian

Siri, 15, receives a call from child protection services who have heard that she might be facing problems in her family. A visit is planned at her house on Saturday. Siri has two days to regain control over her life and give the illusion of a healthy and happy family environment. She receives the help of her friend Arne whom she is in love with. But when the rumor that she sells canabis starts to circulate, everything races and Siri’s world collapses.

Insights

IMDb5.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes38%
Metacritic45/100
Google Users50%
Director: Brett DonowhoGenres: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Plot Summary

In a near-future world, a desperate father uses experimental bio-enhancement surgery to save his son from a rare disease. The procedure grants the boy enhanced abilities but also a primal, dangerous side. As the father grapples with the consequences, he uncovers a dark conspiracy behind the technology.

Critical Reception

The Animal received a mixed to negative reception from critics, with many finding its premise intriguing but ultimately underdeveloped. While some praised its ambitious sci-fi concept and lead performances, the film was frequently criticized for its predictable plot, uneven pacing, and reliance on genre tropes.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its ambitious science fiction premise and attempts at emotional depth.

  • Criticized for a formulaic plot and missed opportunities in exploring its themes.

  • Performances, particularly by the lead actors, were often cited as a redeeming quality.

Google audience: Audience reviews for 'The Animal' were largely divided. Many appreciated the futuristic setting and the father-son dynamic, finding it a decent, if unoriginal, sci-fi thriller. However, a significant portion of viewers felt the film struggled with pacing and failed to deliver a truly innovative narrative, leading to disappointment.

Fun Fact

The film's visual effects were designed to subtly reflect the protagonist's increasing integration with animalistic traits as the story progresses, using color palettes and movement patterns.

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