The Animal Kingdom

In a near future unsettled by mutations that bend humans into animals, François fights to protect his wife as the world grows dangerous. Julia begins to transform, and their already fragile life together is twisted by fear and urgency. When others of the altered retreat into a forest that feels like sanctuary and trap at once, François and their son Émile decide to leave home in search of help and a way back to normal life. The road tests loyalties and resilience, forcing them to improvise in a landscape where danger hides in plain sight and human bonds are stretched to their limits. The voyage will redefine their sense of self and reveal what family must endure when bodies and loyalties change beyond recognition.

Directed by Thomas Cailley, The Animal Kingdom arrived in 2023 with a story by Pauline Munier. It presents as an original concept rather than an adaptation and was produced on a budget of about 15.2 million dollars.

Worldwide box office gross stood at 9,138,503 dollars. The film had a modest release and performed within expectations for its scale, appealing to audiences seeking intimate science fiction and character driven drama rather than blockbuster spectacle.

Even as it remains less visible in pop culture, the film sparks conversations about identity and ethics under crisis. Viewers note its visuals and the atmosphere of unease, while some feel the premise could push its ideas farther without breaking mood. The metrics of influence will unfold over time soon.

The film carries a 6.97 average from 883 votes, signaling a mixed to positive reception. Core themes include resilience, parental love under stress, and what it means to be human when transformation blurs the lines between people and animals. Audiences praise performances, mood, and the film's willingness to linger questions.