Despite its awards-worthy performances, lavish visuals and unique structure, American Animals has flown under the radar for many film enthusiasts.
2018 was a stellar and arguably underrated year for movies, packed full of visionary, singularly original creations all across the indie and blockbuster spectrum. From Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse to Roma and Sorry to Bother You, many of these releases have since found audiences thanks to their commercial accessibility, great word of mouth and attention from awards-season prestige. Unfortunately, what may be one of the 2010s’ best and most brilliant films, American Animals, was totally lost in the hubbub.
Written and directed by Bart Layton, American Animals is a stomach-turning coming-of-age story sizzling with a burning intensity few other films can claim to match. The film follows Warren, Spencer, Chas and Eric, four bored college students looking to lay claim to the riches of the American Dream early in their lives, each worried the soul-crushing journey of a career will lead them to middle-aged mediocrity. Together, the young men plan to steal a collection of rare books from their university’s library, hoping to cash them in on the black market with a multi-million-dollar score.