Focus Features | Release Date: November 18, 2016
7.7
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 534 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
441
Mixed:
70
Negative:
23
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6
peeyushDec 26, 2016
It's brilliantly done, very well acted, the atmosphere Tom Ford has created is very good. It is very stylish and good looking movie, narratively very well done, and the story inside a story is done very well, even for a moment I didn't thinkIt's brilliantly done, very well acted, the atmosphere Tom Ford has created is very good. It is very stylish and good looking movie, narratively very well done, and the story inside a story is done very well, even for a moment I didn't think that this thing is heavy handed.
Acting by Jake Gyllenhaal is awesome, I'm becoming a big fan.
Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson has acted brilliantly as well.
But, somehow, you know both the narratives doesn't resonate with each other very well, but it is handled very well and I liked the ending which most people seems to have the problem with.
It's going to be a polarising movie, I think Gone Girl fans is going to love it, some people will hate the movie, I'm in somewhere between.
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3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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6
netflicDec 5, 2016
The movie is a weird mixture of a thriller, drama and grotesque, stylish with a twist.
There are three story lines in this movie, they interleave and interfere with each other and that is an interesting idea. Reality mixes up with a fiction
The movie is a weird mixture of a thriller, drama and grotesque, stylish with a twist.
There are three story lines in this movie, they interleave and interfere with each other and that is an interesting idea. Reality mixes up with a fiction novel and with heroine's past. I liked that.

There are several great actors in this film. Michael Shannon does not have a big role but boy does he shine there...

Also Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal are terrific.

What I did not like about the movie was the script. In my opinion it needed a serious rework.
As a result, it was interesting to watch with not much of a final impression.
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2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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5
The3AcademySinsOct 13, 2017
While incredibly atmospheric and well shot, Nocturnal Animals ends up being forgettable, if not at some points "so-bad-it's good." Michael Shannon definitely delivers a good performance, but most of the rest of the cast is way tooWhile incredibly atmospheric and well shot, Nocturnal Animals ends up being forgettable, if not at some points "so-bad-it's good." Michael Shannon definitely delivers a good performance, but most of the rest of the cast is way too melodramatic, and the script doesn't help. When the credits roll, you'll feel like you watched a run-of-the-mill revenge thriller try way too hard to be an art film. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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4
Peter7000Feb 9, 2017
When watching a movie, I tend to ask a few simple questions if the story and aesthetics don't appeal to me personally. Those questions are what is the point of the film? What does the film add to life? What does it give the audience?
For
When watching a movie, I tend to ask a few simple questions if the story and aesthetics don't appeal to me personally. Those questions are what is the point of the film? What does the film add to life? What does it give the audience?
For this movie, which I found neither thrilling, nor particularly dramatic, the answers are as follows. The point of this film seems to be the exploration of shallow / base and dark human emotions. Nice. This film adds nothing to life in my opinion. The technical aspects are not new, nor are they inspiring as they do not serve a useful point. While it can be argued that darkness has a use, it, like lightness or positivity needs something to contrast and / or interact with. A film without humour is a dead object, just as is a film without darkness. This leads to what it gives the audience - well, it does provide insight into the darker parts of human psychology and adds to nihilist philosophy. It should probably be classified as a horror film. I've heard others compare it to some of Lynch's work, but it doesn't have the spunk, the verve, nor the vision of Lost Highway or Mullholland Drive. It is not phantasmagoric, nor striking in the digesis.
I am open to hear what makes this film good. It really isn't in my opinion, but then again ones mood is important when watching films, and mine isn't good today. Heh, this film really didn't help.
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1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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5
LewisDannyNov 18, 2016
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Although this is a pretty film, with some decent performances, that's about where it ends - the plot drags for large chunks of the film, and the 'non-ending ending' that seems to be in fashion these days is incredibly unsatisfying. There's a lot of style, but not much substance. Expand
3 of 4 users found this helpful31
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6
Davrosdaleks1May 6, 2017
Looks great and all the actors deliver. However, plot is lacking. Film suffers from trying to talk about the negative aspects of humanity, but is ultimately about rich white people problems. The story-within-a-story is a bit of a clichedLooks great and all the actors deliver. However, plot is lacking. Film suffers from trying to talk about the negative aspects of humanity, but is ultimately about rich white people problems. The story-within-a-story is a bit of a cliched raped-and-revenge story and I don't think the story does enough to justify its existence. Expand
2 of 4 users found this helpful22
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6
Brent_MarchantDec 16, 2016
A stylish though sometimes-pretentious, ultimately unsatisfying exercise in alleged profundity that attempts to use its supposed nuance and subtlety to cover its inherent underdevelopment. Despite strong performances by Amy Adams, JakeA stylish though sometimes-pretentious, ultimately unsatisfying exercise in alleged profundity that attempts to use its supposed nuance and subtlety to cover its inherent underdevelopment. Despite strong performances by Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, much of its remaining power-packed cast is wasted in what is little more than a collection of throwaway one-scene walk-ons. Its often-preposterous script frequently tries viewer patience (especially in the first hour), despite some half-hearted attempts at trying to redeem itself as the picture races toward an unfulfilling conclusion. Director Tom Ford may have scored big in his debut offering, "A Single Man," but he falls far short of the mark in his sophomore (or is it sophomoric?) effort, one that comes across more like a filmed version of the first draft of a promising screenplay rather than a fully fleshed out, finished product. Expand
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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5
Benkoko11Feb 23, 2017
Tom Ford's Nocturnal Animals would have benefitted from even an ounce of subtlety, and with such an A-list cast it quite simply should have been better.
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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6
ReubenIsAGodFeb 1, 2018
The film is beautiful substance.

The acting is gripping, heartfelt and overall emotional. Possibly Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal at some of their finest. Great performances all round. The cinematography is oozing of maturity, clarity and
The film is beautiful substance.

The acting is gripping, heartfelt and overall emotional. Possibly Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal at some of their finest. Great performances all round. The cinematography is oozing of maturity, clarity and style. The Narrative is dark, while metaphorically rich and poignant. Overall, objectively, it's a quality film. I just personally think that it felt a little flat for me, due to not particularly sympathising with any of the characters or really truly being able to understand them. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Also the film is quite emotionally draining. It mad me personally feel awful. It's just alright, in my opinion.

I'm curious to see what else Tom Ford has to offer for us! If he decides to create another film!
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0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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4
RalfbergsMar 13, 2017
I know that this was considered one of the best movies that came out in 2016, but for me, I really found it more and more boring while watching - I would have prefered it as a thriller with more revenge based things in the plot, but here itI know that this was considered one of the best movies that came out in 2016, but for me, I really found it more and more boring while watching - I would have prefered it as a thriller with more revenge based things in the plot, but here it feels like the whole story in the book is some allusion, which, even though is artistic and all that, just is plain boring and makes you more and more disinterest in movie when you watch it. Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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5
drone41Feb 9, 2018
I like Jake Gyllenhaal, and this is another great performance by him, but i don't like so much this movie. It's very strange and crazy.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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4
LynApr 16, 2017
Many scenes in this stylish film leave you asking "why?" -- but not necessarily in a good way. Why does it end as it does? Why did Amy Adams' ex-husband send her a manuscript of his disturbing novel? Why was Tom Ford compelled to open with anMany scenes in this stylish film leave you asking "why?" -- but not necessarily in a good way. Why does it end as it does? Why did Amy Adams' ex-husband send her a manuscript of his disturbing novel? Why was Tom Ford compelled to open with an awful, extended scene of morbidly obese women dancing nude? For a while, the story-within-a-story approach is interesting: It's also fiction-within-nonfiction, and you wonder how the ex-husband's novel links to the couple's past (and future?) relationship. But that's just one way the storytelling breaks down: There seems to have been much less attention paid to vital plot connections than to Amy Adams' hair and makeup. Keeping this in the "yellow" section just for Michael Shannon's performance, intensely terrific as always. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
LeZeeFeb 26, 2017
RE VEN GE

This was simply awesome. I meant the story, but the presentation was not my kind. I got the story and I enjoyed it. The performances can't be neglected either. Both the lead, Jake and Amy were the film's highlight. But I also happy
RE VEN GE

This was simply awesome. I meant the story, but the presentation was not my kind. I got the story and I enjoyed it. The performances can't be neglected either. Both the lead, Jake and Amy were the film's highlight. But I also happy for Michale Shannon's Oscars nominee. Based on the novel 'Tony and Susan', but for the film adaptation, the title got inspired by the book that appear in the story. From the director of 'A Single Man' which is his comeback film after a long gap. I would say a good attempt.

This is the story of a successful art gallery boss who got divorced and remarried to the man whom she was cheating with from her ex. Her decision was in particular influenced by her mother. Now she thinks she's happy, but one day her ex sends a copy of his latest novel that's dedicated in her name. Reading it, she realises the tough time he'd with their separation. Following the end of the book, she encounters an unexpected truth which could affect her life forever.

A dual layer story. One was fiction and the other one in the real world. But the fictional tale highly influences the main narration and that's what I call the genuine writing. So the credit must go to none other than the original author. I have seen lots of revenge films, even it can be compared to 'Three Colours: White', but the major difference is the sweet revenge. For that alone the film was awesome. The climax was even better. If you understand the narration, you will enjoy it for sure. The filmmaking should have been a bit better. Excluding that the film is not to be skipped.

6/10
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5
JJJSep 23, 2017
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This movie is beautifully shot. Amy Adams looks stunning and the acting is all well done. Michael Shannon is exquisite. The story is layered with an intertwining plot, which makes it interesting, while watching it. But the ending leaves you empty and then you realize that the movie is just visuals with a thin storyline. Especially once you realize what's going on. There isn't much there that sticks with you. It's not really a procedural or much of a mystery.
*Spoiler
The violence, which is projected on the women in the most brutal way, is merely a vehicle with which to showcase the man's pain. Though the violence is symbolic, we still have to watch a frightening lead up to it, with artfully placed dead, nude female bodies and his own brief visualization of a rape. It is supposed to symbolize his own inaction or 'weakness' but I'm not sure what one man can do to protect his wife and daughter with no gun, a flat tire and no cell service against three violent predators in the middle of nowhere. In the end, we are left to determine for ourselves that Edward wrote the book to process his trauma. Sent it to Susan and set up the fake dinner meeting to exact revenge that she chose a conventional life rather than sticking it out with a starving, flailing writer. He may indeed be weak in his need to indulge in this silliness. We know nothing about him otherwise. He isn't really much of a character.
Lastly, the mother character, played by Laura Linney, is a total caricature, (who the heck has that big coiffed hair anymore?)
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0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
AproxxAug 20, 2018
This isnt more than a love story of a privileged woman. It has mommy issues. It has class issues. It has relationship issues. All with a woman and the way a woman deal or its affected by those.

Its beautiful. The movie is just beautiful. It
This isnt more than a love story of a privileged woman. It has mommy issues. It has class issues. It has relationship issues. All with a woman and the way a woman deal or its affected by those.

Its beautiful. The movie is just beautiful. It works. I don't know if resolves these pyshological problems as much as it presents them as if: "Look. Rich people have problems too". Which is fine, but Im a little more basic than that, and for this movie to feel more than good, I wouldve loved to have something more than reflection and contemplation.
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6
DawdlingPoetNov 27, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I found this quite an eery, bleak watch. It won't suit everyone, thats for sure. It features some reasonably strong violence and sexual violence but, possibly moreso, a strong sense of threat/foreboding. Its an unsettling watch due to this and the plot, with both the main female and male characters having to face difficult situations.

Personally, I felt a bit unclear about the ultimate plot direction and I didn't feel like it really stood out for me as a particularly clever or memorable film, so I can't say I thought it was especially good as such. However, I will say that at the end, I felt more engrossed in the film and I did feel sorry for the main female character, Susan Morrow. Amy Adams, who portrays Susan, does a pretty solid job, I must say. I thought Prisoners, which also stars Jake Gyllenhall (who is in this film) and Hugh Jackman, was bleak and dark but this is, if anything, even moreso.
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6
geewahJan 13, 2021
A case of style over substance.
The story is okay but gets lost in the pretentious nature of it all.
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