We the Animals (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
We the Animals is a 2018 drama directed by Jeremiah Zagar, starring Isaiah Kristian as Manny, Evan Rosado and Raúl Castillo. It is partly based on We the Animals by Justin Torres. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes and earned $434,743 worldwide. Critics gave it 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10. Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Fandango at Home Free, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 34m (94 min)
- Director
- Jeremiah Zagar
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- The Orchard
- Based on
- We the Animals by Justin Torres
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is We the Animals About?
The premise of We the Animals without spoilers, adapted from We the Animals by Justin Torres.
Three brothers, Manny, Joel, and Jonah, explore the world and their place within a complex family. As their parents' relationship fluctuates between intense love and instability, each boy responds differently. Manny and Joel often reflect their father's volatile nature, while Jonah seeks solace in his imagination, grappling with his own sensitivity and yearning for understanding within the family's dynamic. Their close bond is tested as they navigate the challenges of adolescence and the turbulence of their home life.
We the Animals Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- gay subtext
- brother brother brother relationship
- boy boy kiss
- coming of age
- grandfather grandson relationship
- hand down front of pants
- domestic violence
- gay interest
- gay kiss
- gay
- gay kid
- gay porn
+38 more Show fewer
- haircut
- gay pornography
- based on novel
- boy
- 10 year old
- three brothers
- family relationships
- mother son relationship
- father son relationship
- husband wife relationship
- puerto rican
- flashlight
- animated sequence
- levitation
- shoplifting
- abandoned by father
- factory worker
- security guard
- marriage
- interracial marriage
- son slaps father
- swimming
- underwater scene
- lake
- riding a bicycle into a lake
- kiss
- sex
- hiding behind a shower curtain
- hunger
- old man
- stealing food
- theft
- watching tv
- watching pornography
- notebook
- drawing
- running away
- running
Where to Watch We the Animals
Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Fandango at Home Free, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 7
We the Animals Cast & Characters
Isaiah Kristian leads the cast as Manny, with Evan Rosado as Jonah and Raúl Castillo as Paps. Directed by Jeremiah Zagar; 6 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Jeremiah Zagar
- Isaiah Kristian as Manny
- Evan Rosado as Jonah
-
Raúl Castillo as Paps -
Sheila Vand as Ma
Also Starring in We the Animals
· 2 more- Terry Holland Televangelist
- Josiah Gabriel
We the Animals Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave We the Animals 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in story & flow (55).
We the Animals Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, We the Animals excels in its evocative visual style and intimate portrayal of childhood while its nonlinear narrative may challenge conventional expectations. Critics highlighted the film’s poetic direction and luminous cinematography, noting its effective mood-driven storytelling punctuated by moments of emotional intensity. Readers praised the authenticity of the family dynamics and the subdued sound design that deepens immersion. However, some viewers found the episodic structure lacking in narrative clarity. The film leaves a lasting impression through its vivid imagery and reflective tone.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 85
In terms of Art & Craft, the film demonstrates a striking visual poise anchored by lyrical direction and measured editing. Cinematographer Zak Mulligan’s grainy Super 16 images and widescreen compositions received consistent acclaim for their poetic coherence. A few critics noted moments of excessive artiness. Overall, the visual craftsmanship remains compelling.
- Character & Emotion 78
When it comes to Character & Emotion, the film offers nuanced performances and a credible family dynamic that enhance emotional resonance. Reviewers highlighted the authentic chemistry among the three brothers and the volatile interplay of the parents, though some felt individual character arcs were underdeveloped in favor of poetic tone. The ensemble carries an intimate emotional core.
- Story & Flow 55
In terms of Story & Flow, the narrative’s impressionistic structure fosters thematic richness but may sacrifice plot clarity. Critics and viewers observed a vignette-driven progression with minimal conventional pacing, leaving some sequences feeling insubstantial. While the film’s originality is acknowledged, its engagement hinges on mood rather than a cohesive storyline. Overall, the narrative remains provocative yet elusive.
- Sensory Experience 80
Regarding Sensory Experience, the film excels in a cohesive visual and auditory ambiance that immerses the viewer in its poetic world. The subdued sound design and intimate score complement the Super 16 cinematography, creating an atmospheric synergy. Although the soundtrack is understated, it reinforces the film’s emotional textures. Overall, the sensory palette is evocative and coherent.
- Rewatch Factor 65
On the Rewatch Factor, We the Animals offers layered visual and thematic elements that may reward subsequent viewings. The film’s poetic imagery and subtle character gestures prompt reflection, though its nonlinear mood-driven form may deter audiences seeking clear narrative arcs. As a result, its lasting appeal is strongest for viewers drawn to aesthetic nuance.
-
IMDb 6.9 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 92% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 76%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 80 Metascore
User score 6.3
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 65% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.7 /5
443 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 1.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
We the Animals Box Office
We the Animals grossed $434,743 worldwide. $400,961 came from the US and Canada and $33,782 (8%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$434.7K
- US & Canada
- $401K
- International
- $33.8K
We the Animals Trailers & Videos
The trailer of We the Animals.
We the Animals Also Known As
22 alternative titles, including “Animais Americanos” and “アメリカン・アニマルズ:2018”.
- Also known as
-
- Animais Americanos
- アメリカン・アニマルズ:2018
- Μια αμερικάνικη ληστεία
- Американские животные
- 美国动物
- 아메리칸 애니멀스
- Американски животни
- חיות אמריקאיות
- Zwierzęta Ameryki
- 美國動物
- Uma Aventura Perigosa
- Amerikos gyvūnai
+10 more Show fewer
- Amerikan Soygunu
- Amerikai állatok
- 美式禽獸
- Animales Norteamericanos
- Американські тварини
- Ameriške živali
- Amerikāņu zvēri
- Đồ Quỷ Mỹ
- รวมกันปล้น อย่าให้ใครจับได้
- アメリカン・アニマルズ
Seen We the Animals?
Movies Like We the Animals
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Brothers, All the Little Animals and In the Family.
We the Animals FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and the book behind it of We the Animals, each answered in a sentence.
How long is We the Animals?
We the Animals runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).
When was We the Animals released?
We the Animals was released on August 17, 2018.
Who directed We the Animals?
We the Animals was directed by Jeremiah Zagar.
More films by Jeremiah Zagar Who is in the cast of We the Animals?
We the Animals stars Isaiah Kristian as Manny, Evan Rosado as Jonah and Raúl Castillo as Paps, among 6 credited actors.
Where can I watch We the Animals?
In the US, We the Animals is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Fandango at Home Free and fuboTV and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did We the Animals make at the box office?
We the Animals grossed $434,743 worldwide ($400,961 domestic, $33,782 international).
How is We the Animals rated?
We the Animals has 6.9/10 on IMDb, 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, 80 on Metacritic and 65% on TMDB.
Is We the Animals based on a book?
Yes. We the Animals is partly adapted from We the Animals by Justin Torres.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
