𝙍𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙈𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙨:

Title

The Animal Kingdom (Le Règne Animal) – 2023

Genre

Science Fiction · Drama · Fantasy · Adventure

Director

Thomas Cailley

Runtime

130 minutes

Language

French (with English subtitles available)

 Plot Summary

In a world gripped by a strange phenomenon, humans are mysteriously mutating into hybrid animal creatures—not metaphorically, but physically and permanently. Some grow feathers, claws, or scales. Others disappear into the wild, no longer recognizable.

François (played by Romain Duris) is a devoted father whose wife has already been affected by the transformation. When his teenage son Émile (Paul Kircher) starts showing early signs of mutation, François refuses to give up. He sets out into the wilderness on a desperate mission—to save his son from losing his humanity, even as nature begins to reclaim them both.

But as Émile’s transformation deepens, he begins to connect with the primal world, questioning whether his new self is something to fear—or to embrace.

 Themes

Family & Identity – A father’s fierce love clashes with a son’s journey of self-acceptance

Human vs. Nature – Where does humanity end and wildness begin?

Metamorphosis as metaphor – For adolescence, evolution, and societal outcasts

Style & Atmosphere

Stunning natural cinematography

Emotional storytelling with body horror and fantasy elements

A blend of “The Shape of Water” and “Annihilation”, with a uniquely French sensibility

 Awards & Reception

Premiered at the Cannes Film Festival 2023, where it received critical acclaim for its originality and emotional depth. Praised for strong performances, especially from Paul Kircher, and its practical effects that bring hybrid creatures to life.

 Tagline

“When the wild calls… will you answer or resist?”
“To save his son, he must face the beast within.”