Overview
A young man is thrust into a dangerous world of crime and family loyalty after a tragic loss.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Brutal
- brooding
- paranoid
- oppressive
- late night viewing
- crime film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a sharply scripted, confidently paced Australian crime drama elevated by an exceptional ensemble, especially Jacki Weaver and Ben Mendelsohn.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Janine Smurf Cody governs her sons and grandson through possessive affection while the family’s criminal activities structure every relationship.
Seventeen-year-old J enters his estranged maternal family after his mother’s death and must navigate both the Codys and the police.
Smurf’s nurturing matriarchal role coexists with her control over the Cody crime family and its violent decisions.
The Cody household and Melbourne streets become claustrophobic arenas where criminal danger is embedded in everyday family life.
Films like Animal Kingdom, and why
The Departed
shared attributes of ruthless organized crime, family corruption, morally compromised characters, and tense neo-noir atmosphere
Gomorrah
shared attributes of crime-family loyalty, escalating violence, police pressure, and fatalistic drama
The Place Beyond the Pines
shared attributes of intimate criminal underworlds, coercive family dynamics, and a young outsider trapped among dangerous adults
Movie Details
- Director
- David Michôd
- Release Date
- 2010-06-03
- Runtime
- 113 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (943)
Cast
- Ben Mendelsohn
- Joel Edgerton
- Guy Pearce
- Luke Ford
- Jacki Weaver
- Sullivan Stapleton
- James Frecheville
- Dan Wyllie
- Anthony Hayes
- Laura Wheelwright
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Animal Kingdom about?
- A detached teenager is absorbed into his grandmother’s lethal Melbourne crime dynasty and must survive the collision between family loyalty and police justice.
- What is Animal Kingdom like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Animal Kingdom as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Animal Kingdom violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Animal Kingdom as brutal.
- What did critics think of Animal Kingdom?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a sharply scripted, confidently paced Australian crime drama elevated by an exceptional ensemble, especially Jacki Weaver and Ben Mendelsohn.
- Which films are like Animal Kingdom?
- Films with a similar feel include The Departed, Gomorrah, and The Place Beyond the Pines.
- How long is Animal Kingdom?
- Animal Kingdom runs 113 minutes.
- Where can I watch Animal Kingdom?
- In United States, Animal Kingdom is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
