Review of Nocturnal Animals (2016) by Orlando O — 12 Apr 2017

Nocturnal Animals is a mind twister that may throw off viewers if they walk out to the bathroom and miss a scene. It may not be for everyone with the direction the film is trying to take. Some may find it boring, disturbing or intrigued with the psychological thriller direction. I found the movie to be quite fair with a great cast ensemble, some visually tone direction, and a plot that would be difficult to discuss without giving away spoilers. Director Tom Ford did deliver a good script based on a novel.

The plot follows gallery owner Susan (Amy Adams) when she receives a novel called Nocturnal Animals which she becomes obsessed and raw with emotions after reading it. Meanwhile, Tony (Jake Gyllenhaal) is going on a family vacation with his wife Laura (Isla Fisher) and their teenage daughter. On a road trip across Texas, they get run off the road by Ray (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and his two men. Everything gets taken for the worse, when Tony and the Detective Bobby (Michael Shannon) are on the hunt for these men and to find Tony's wife and daughter.

If you enjoy films that makes you think and realize between the two narratives structure and how they relate. Then, you may find the film to be worthy. If you don't, I would not recommend it. The concept idea playing with the whole story within a story was pretty neat. The script delivered a good structure with the two stories.

This is one film with a lot of memorable actors in the film like Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Isla Fisher, Armie Hammer, and Michael Sheen. Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal gave some powerful emotional performances with their characters. It had some raw emotions, which can be quite hard to watch. And some frustrating moments with characters choices.

Nocturnal Animals is a fair psychological thriller film; has a neat concept idea of story within a story and leaves open for interpretations for many viewers. Has a variety of talented cast in the film and highlighted performances from Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal.