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Drama thriller

Only the Animals (2021): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Only the Animals (2021) movie poster

Only the Animals is a 2021 drama thriller directed by Dominik Moll, starring Laure Calamy as Alice Farange, Damien Bonnard and Valeria Bruni Tedeschi. It runs 1 hour 56 minutes and was made on a reported $5 million budget. Critics gave it 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
93%
Echo Score
80
Metascore
69
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Only the Animals (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 56m (116 min)
Director
Dominik Moll
Genres
Drama , Mystery , Thriller , Crime
Original language
French
Budget
$5M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Only the Animals About?

The premise of Only the Animals without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

When a mysterious woman disappears during a severe blizzard in the French countryside, a complex web of secrets begins to unravel. Police investigating her vanishing discover that five individuals, initially appearing unconnected, are deeply intertwined with her past. As they delve further, long-buried truths and hidden lies surface, forcing each person to confront a dangerous and unsettling reality.

Only the Animals Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • talking to a dead body
  • disposing of a dead body
  • older woman younger woman sex
  • romance scam
  • dead body in the snow
  • repeated scene from a different perspective
  • france
  • opening scene repeated later in film
  • reference to zorro
  • multiple versions of same scene
  • cattle farm
  • hidden in a haystack
+38 more
  • nonlinear timeline
  • unrequited love
  • chatting online
  • internet scam
  • wire transfer
  • giving money away
  • killing the wrong person
  • camping trailer
  • chapter headings
  • sex scene
  • tv news
  • gendarme
  • missing woman
  • watching tv
  • dead dog
  • hitchhiker
  • internet chat
  • nigerian scam
  • photograph
  • internet scammer
  • money transfer
  • female nudity
  • sexless marriage
  • female hitchhiker
  • rural setting
  • snowstorm
  • sheep farm
  • online dating site
  • multiple storylines
  • telephone call
  • dog barks
  • hotel
  • slapped in the face
  • scam artist
  • catfishing
  • goat
  • cowshed
  • betrayal
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Cast & crew

Only the Animals Cast & Characters

Laure Calamy leads the cast as Alice Farange, with Damien Bonnard as Joseph Bonnefille and Valeria Bruni Tedeschi as Evelyne Ducat. Directed by Dominik Moll; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Only the Animals

· 6 more
From the director

More from Dominik Moll

More films directed by Dominik Moll, best-rated first: Harry Is Here to Help, The Night of the 12th, Lemming and Only the Animals.

Full filmography
Ratings

Only the Animals Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Only the Animals 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in sensory experience (65).

80 /100

Only the Animals Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Only the Animals delivers a compelling thriller anchored by strong direction and nuanced performances, though its narrative complexity occasionally hampers clarity. Critics and viewers alike commend the film’s atmospheric pacing and emotional depth, while a minority note the resolution’s limited intrigue. The sensory elements remain understated, leaving room for varied audience impact. In sum, the movie offers a rewarding experience that balances tension with character-driven storytelling.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of direction and visual craft, the film is widely praised for its measured pacing and convincing slow‑burn style. Critics cite Moll’s effective directing and the editing’s ability to sustain suspense, while users highlight the tight script and skillful pacing. No significant criticisms of cinematography or production design arise, resulting in a solid assessment of the film’s artful execution.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotional resonance, reviews uniformly commend the nuanced performances and depth of the ensemble. Critics describe the cast as persuasively solid, and users point to specific actors delivering superior work. The interplay of loneliness and desire is noted as a strong emotional anchor, leading to a high evaluation of character work.

  • Story & Flow 75

    Regarding story and narrative flow, the interlocking perspectives are generally regarded as engaging, though some critics find the resolution less compelling. The puzzle‑like structure receives praise for its intrigue, yet a few remarks mention occasional convolution. Overall, the plot’s originality and measured reveal earn a favorable but mixed appraisal.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    In the sensory experience domain, the film receives limited specific commentary. Neither soundtrack nor visual style is highlighted as a standout feature, nor are there notable criticisms. The lack of distinct sensory remarks leads to an intermediate rating, reflecting a competent but unremarkable auditory and visual presentation.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    Rewatch factor is addressed through the film’s addictive patterning and layered storytelling, which many reviewers find rewarding on subsequent viewings. Critics note the lingering suspense, while users describe the puzzle's payoff as satisfying. The combination of strong performances and narrative depth suggests a high likelihood of repeat engagement.

Plot

Only the Animals Plot Summary

What happens in Only the Animals from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In a gripping prologue, we encounter a young Ivorian man named Rolex (Cheick Diakité) navigating the streets of Abidjan while transporting a goat on his back. He arrives at an apartment building in search of “Papa Sanou” (Christian Ezan). ”_** Here, we meet Alice Farange, played by [Laure Calamy], an insurance agent visiting a sheep farm owned by Joseph Bonnefille (played by [Damien Bonnard]), who is leading a solitary life. As they interact, business is conducted, and intimacy arises between them. However, Alice soon senses Joseph’s distraction during their time together.

Full summary

The whole story of Only the Animals, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Only the Animals Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Only the Animals.

ONLY THE ANIMALS | Exclusively on Curzon Home Cinema 29 May
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Only the Animals?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is Rolex's unusual companion at the start of the movie?

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FAQ

Only the Animals FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Only the Animals, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Only the Animals?

Only the Animals runs 1 hour 56 minutes (116 minutes).

When was Only the Animals released?

Only the Animals was released on October 29, 2021.

Who directed Only the Animals?

Only the Animals was directed by Dominik Moll.

More films by Dominik Moll

Who is in the cast of Only the Animals?

Only the Animals stars Laure Calamy as Alice Farange, Damien Bonnard as Joseph Bonnefille and Valeria Bruni Tedeschi as Evelyne Ducat, among 10 credited actors.

What was the budget of Only the Animals?

Only the Animals had a reported budget of $5 million.

How is Only the Animals rated?

Only the Animals has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.

Does Only the Animals have a post-credit scene?

No. Only the Animals has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Only the Animals in?

The original language of Only the Animals is French.

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