Nocturnal Animals

Susan (Amy Adams) is a successful artist in modern day LA. Her opulent lifestyle seems ideal on the surface, but it becomes apparent that Susan is deeply unhappy. Along with her shallow life leaving her feeling unfulfilled, Susan is facing issues with her second husband (Armie Hammer). However, one day, she receives a manuscript for an unpublished book written by her ex-husband Edward (Jake Gyllenhaal) titled Nocturnal Animals. As she starts reading the manuscript, she learns the book revolves around Tony (also Gyllenhaal) who's on a road trip with his wife (Isla Fisher) and their daughter. However, to Susan’s horror, Tony and his family are terrorised by a gang of goons led by the terrifying Ray (Aaron Taylor Johnson). As she keeps reading the book, various horrifying events take place, eventually leading to Tony setting out for revenge with texan cop Bobby (Michael Shannon).

Nocturnal Animals is an absolutely unique cinematic experience. As we keep switching between flashbacks of Susan and Edwards relationship, Susan’s reaction to reading the book and a visualisation of the book itself, one feels an array of emotions. We find ourselves growing more attached to Susan and Edward, slowly understanding how their relationship grew and then broke down. However, at the same time, we're scared and unnerved by the horrors that Tony and his family undergo. We see how Tony’s plight symbolises Edwards emotions towards his relationship with Susan. Tom Ford masterfully uses the emotions we feel in the two seemingly unrelated stories to give us a sense of how Edward felt and how he feels now. Along with this, the stellar cast perform their roles perfectly, especially Aaron Taylor Johnson’s chilling portrayal of Ray. This revenge fuelled thriller will leave you craving for more.

Siddhant, Walia