Ben Affleck: ‘Animals’ ending explained: Ben Affleck and Kerry Washington-starrer makes OTT debut; Mark Kimball’s motivation behind sinister plot?

Here is all you need to know about the ending of the OTT film ‘Animals’. (Image Credit: Screen grab from the ‘Animals’ trailer on YouTube

Ben Affleck is back with yet another thrilling adventure with the OTT film, ‘Animals.’ While the plot of the movies centers around a kidnapping, as it slowly unravels, viewers find out that the controversy runs deeper.Ben Affleck’s ‘Animals’ ending explainedThe premise of the film revolves around a wealthy Los Angeles mayoral candidate whose life implodes when a kidnapping case exposes a dark web of deception. Affleck, who stars in the film, has also directed and co-written the script. He plays the role of Mark Kimball, an independent candidate for mayor of Los Angeles. On the front he is picture perfect; however, behind the polished image, he is struggling financially. His marriage to psychologist Abigail is nearing its end, and both of them are keeping secrets from one another.Things start to unravel after Mark receives a call telling him that his son Denny, who is played by Christopher Woodley, has been kidnapped. The kidnapper demands USD 7 million for his release, warning Mark not to pull any moves since he is under surveillance. Mark’s son had been out on Halloween, trick-o-treating with the housekeeper’s son, Hector.However, he no longer has that kind of money since his mayoral campaign has been struggling. Not only that but Mark has also used up almost all of his family savings for the campaign without telling Abigail about it. Later, his campaign manager Sam helps him connect with Dayle Burton, played by Gillian Anderson, a fixer who is capable of paying the ransom amount. However, she tells Mark that she wants another USD 1.4 million on top of the USD 7 million, to which Mark agrees and puts their house up as collateral.SPOILERS AHEAD

Denny was never kidnapped

However, just as the Kimballs are about to contact the kidnapper about the money being arranged, Denny walks back into the house. It turns out that he and Hector had been wearing the same exact outfits for Halloween, and he had simply separated from the two in the crowd. This confirms that rather than Hector, the kidnappers have instead taken Hector by mistake.Hector’s father, Ramon, arrives at Mark and Abigail’s home with an injured Cecilia, and Mark receives a video of Hector, who is being held captive. The Kimballs first contemplate whether they should pay the ransom for Hector; however, Mark realizes that he needs the support of the Latino community for his campaign and how Ramon is undocumented. His campaign manager also tells him that he will be ridiculed publicly if he refuses to save Hector. Reluctantly, they agree to pay the USD 7 million to the kidnappers to save his housekeeper’s son.Dayle later advises Mark that he can either wait for the police, pay the amount and hope Hector is released, or kill the kidnappers. Ramon also takes things on himself after Mark confesses that they are being watched. He roams around the neighborhood and manages to find one of the kidnappers; however, during their altercation, they manage to escape.

Do they manage to save Hector?

Mark and Dayle drive to the ransom exchange at the concrete-lined Los Angeles River, deciding that instead of waiting for the police and legalities, the kidnappers need to be killed to end the ordeal and save his political career. They see two men along with Hector. One of the men wearing a rabbit mask throws Hector down into the channel, where Mark catches him. When they try to kill the two, Dayle’s armed assassin, Rand, is on standby and shoots the two kidnappers. However, a third kidnapper appears and shoots both Rand and Dayle. Just when he is about to attack Mark and Hector, Ramon rushes in and shoots the third and final kidnapper.

What does the ‘Animals’ ending mean?

In the ending, though it is Ramon who kills the final kidnapper and saves Hector and Mark, the politician still controls the narrative. He buys the family’s silence by paying them the ransom amount while he comes out of the situation victorious and with an inspirational story at hand to help run his mayoral campaign. Mark also destroys evidence that Dayle had on him for ordering the hit on the kidnappers.You can watch and stream the 2026 crime thriller ‘Animals’ on Netflix.