Nocturnal Animals
Theatrical release poster
Directed byTom Ford
Screenplay byTom Ford
Based onTony and Susan
by Austin Wright
Produced by
  • Tom Ford
  • Robert Salerno
Starring
CinematographySeamus McGarvey
Edited byJoan Sobel
Music byAbel Korzeniowski
Production
companies
Fade to Black Productions
Artina Films[1]
Distributed byFocus Features (United States)
Universal Pictures[2] (International)
Release dates
  • September 2, 2016 (2016-09-02) (Venice)
  • November 18, 2016 (2016-11-18) (United States)
Running time
116 minutes[3]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$22.5 million[4]
Box office$32.4 million[5]

Nocturnal Animals is a 2016 American neo-noir psychological thriller[6][7] film written, produced, and directed by Tom Ford in his second feature, based on the 1993 novel Tony and Susan by Austin Wright. The film stars Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Isla Fisher, Armie Hammer, Laura Linney, Andrea Riseborough, and Michael Sheen. The plot follows an art gallery owner as she reads the new novel written by her first husband and begins to see the similarities between it and their former relationship.

Principal photography began on October 5, 2015, in Los Angeles. The film premiered at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival on September 2, 2016[8] and was released in North America on November 18, 2016, by Focus Features. It received positive reviews, with praise for the performances and Ford's direction, and grossed over $32 million worldwide.[5]

Nocturnal Animals was selected to compete for the Golden Lion at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival,[9] where it won the Grand Jury Prize.[10][11] Shannon earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 89th Academy Awards.[12] It also received nine BAFTA Award nominations and Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Director and Best Screenplay, plus a Best Supporting Actor win for Aaron Taylor-Johnson.[13]

Plot

Susan Morrow owns an upscale Los Angeles art gallery. Her current show involves a presentation of overweight majorettes dancing vigorously while naked. Susan receives a manuscript for a novel written by her estranged ex-husband Edward Sheffield along with an invitation for dinner during Edward's upcoming visit to Los Angeles. Upset by her deteriorating marriage to unfaithful businessman Hutton Morrow, Susan becomes consumed by the novel, which is dedicated to her and named Nocturnal Animals after Edward's nickname for her.

In this novel, Tony Hastings is a family man who runs afoul of three local troublemakers – Ray Marcus, Lou, and Turk – during a road trip through West Texas. After being forced off the road, Tony is powerless to stop Ray and Turk from kidnapping his wife, Laura and their daughter, India, leaving him with Lou, who forces him to drive Ray's car to the end of a road where he is abandoned. Tony manages to evade Ray and Lou when they return looking for him and makes his way to a nearby farmhouse to call the police.

Detective Roberto "Bobby" Andes is assigned to the case and with Tony, discovers the bodies of Laura and India near an abandoned shack, where they had been raped and murdered. Tony is wracked with guilt. He is contacted by Andes a year later and is asked to identify Lou, who was caught in a botched robbery and is charged as an accomplice in Laura and India's murders.

Turk has been fatally shot in the same robbery, leaving Ray as the last culprit to be brought to justice. Andes arrests Ray but is forced to release him as they have only circumstantial evidence of his involvement. On the verge of retirement and having been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, Andes decides to take matters into his own hands. Although Tony is initially less than fully aware of Andes' plan, he goes along with it. The two abduct Ray and Lou. Andes shoots Lou dead when he attempts to flee, but Ray escapes.

Tony tracks down Ray to the shack where Laura and India were killed. Ray admits to raping and murdering Tony's wife and daughter, calling him weak. Tony fatally shoots him but is blinded when Ray hits him on the head with a fire poker. Tony stumbles outside, shoots himself in the abdomen after falling on his gun, and dies.

Shocked by the dark content and raw emotion of the novel, Susan reminisces about meeting Edward in college and their blossoming relationship, which Susan's domineering mother Anne Sutton objected to, claiming that Edward was not worthy of Susan's affections and that because of his romantic world view, he lacked the drive to achieve his goals; Susan ignored her mother's objections, eventually marrying Edward.

After finding further evidence of Hutton's extramarital affair, Susan resumes her reading of the manuscript and begins to recall her troubled marriage to Edward, which was strained by her frustration with his fledgling career and her dismissive attitude towards his literary aspirations. Edward still loves her and attempts to repair their relationship, but Susan is already involved with Hutton and divorces Edward. She chooses to abort her pregnancy with Edward's child and marry Hutton.

In the present day, Susan finishes reading the novel and arranges a meeting with Edward at a restaurant. Edward does not show up, and Susan waits alone as the restaurant empties.

Cast

(Clockwise) Nocturnal Animals stars Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson

The real world

The novel

Production

On March 24, 2015, it was announced that Smokehouse Pictures' partners George Clooney and Grant Heslov would produce a thriller, Nocturnal Animals, based on Austin Wright's 1993 novel Tony and Susan.[21] Tom Ford was set to direct the film, based on his own script.[21] Ford said that the storytelling concept of the novel appealed to him, explaining, "The film is very different than the book it's based on. However, the central themes are the same, meaning that when I read the book, what appealed to me as a writer and a filmmaker was the idea of this device of communicating to someone through a work of fiction. Through a written work of fiction. And thereby communicating something that they had not been able to really communicate clearly. I loved that concept."[22]

Jake Gyllenhaal was set to star in the dual lead roles, Amy Adams was in talks for the female lead role, and sources confirmed that Joaquin Phoenix and Aaron Taylor-Johnson might be cast in other roles.[14] Focus Features acquired the US distribution rights to the film on May 17, 2015, while Universal Pictures handles the international distribution.[2] Focus' deal was made with $20 million, making this the biggest deal of the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, and one of the biggest of the mid 2010s.[2] On August 6, 2015, Taylor-Johnson was confirmed to play a mysterious character who poses a threat to Gyllenhaal's character Tony's family, while Michael Shannon was also added to the cast, playing a detective investigating the violent incident.[16] On August 28, 2015, Armie Hammer also joined the cast of the film, to play Hutton Morrow, Adams' character's husband.[15] On September 9, 2015, Isla Fisher joined the film to play Laura Hastings, Tony's wife.[17] On September 18, 2015, Ellie Bamber was cast in the film to play Tony's daughter.[18] On September 30, 2015, Robert Aramayo was added to the cast.[20] On October 5, 2015, Karl Glusman signed on to star in the film.[19] On October 8, 2015, Peter Nyong'o was also cast in the film.[23]

Principal photography on the film began on October 5, 2015, in Los Angeles.[19][24] The final scene in the Japanese restaurant was filmed in the main building of the Yamashiro Historic District.[25][26] It wrapped on December 5, 2015.[27]

Release

Nocturnal Animals had its world premiere at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival on September 2, 2016.[28][29][8] The film also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2016,[30] and at the BFI London Film Festival on October 14, 2016.[31]

The film was released in the United States on November 18, 2016.[32]

Reception

Box office

Nocturnal Animals grossed $10.7 million in the United States and Canada and $21.7 million in other countries for a worldwide total of $32.4 million.[5]

The film had its North American wide release on December 9, 2016, and was projected to open to $3–5 million. It ended up grossing $3.2 million, finishing 7th at the box office.[33]

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 74% based on 302 reviews, with an average rating of 7.00/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Well-acted and lovely to look at, Nocturnal Animals further underscores writer-director Tom Ford's distinctive visual and narrative skill."[34] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 67 out of 100, based on 45 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[35]

Owen Gleiberman of Variety praised the film, stating "Tom Ford's first film since A Single Man is another winner", and complimenting the performances of Gyllenhaal, Adams, Shannon and Taylor-Johnson.[36] Pete Hammond of Deadline Hollywood praised Adams, Gyllenhaal, Shannon, and Taylor-Johnson's performances, as well as Ford's screenplay and direction.[37] Geoffrey Macnab of The Independent awarded the film five stars, praising the performances and the direction, and stating, "Nocturnal Animals is extraordinarily deft in the way it combines romanticism and bleakness. It's a film that easily could have slipped into extreme pretentiousness but it never puts a foot wrong."[38]

Leonard Maltin wrote very positively of the film: "At one time it was normal to tell a story from beginning to end; now, juggling a movie's timeline has almost become a cliché. Yet in his second film, Tom Ford has not only mastered a tricky narrative but establishes two separate, completely tangible environments. What's more, he maintains a consistent tone for both facets of this seductive story. This movie represents a daring walk on the high wire by a man who has more than proven himself as a filmmaker. It's not just an accomplished piece of work but a movie that completely envelops its audience. That's no mean feat." Maltin also singled out Michael Shannon as giving "another great performance."[39]

Writing for Rolling Stone, Peter Travers rated the film 31⁄2-stars-out-of-4 and stated: "Tom Ford hits it out of the park with a stunning film noir that resonates with ghostly, poetic terror. Don't overthink what Ford has so cunningly crafted. Surrender to it. Cheers to cinematographer Seamus McGarvey, composer Abel Korzeniowski and especially editor Joan Sobel who help Ford weave multiple stories into one darkly funny, visually dazzling piece." Travers also singled out the performances of the cast: "The actors could not be better. Gyllenhaal, in two roles, dives deep into the wells of perceived masculine weakness. And Adams takes Susan from dewy college girl to hardened ice queen without missing a stop or a nuance in between. She's spectacular."[40]

Victoria Coren Mitchell of The Guardian opposed the popular critical opinion, saying "Why all these raves and prizes for a piece of gynophobic death-porn?"[41]

Accolades

References

  1. ↑ "Nocturnal Animals (2016)". British Film Institute (BFI). Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 Fleming, Mike Jr. (May 17, 2015). "Focus Features Wins Tom Ford's 'Nocturnal Animals' In Whopping $20 Million Cannes Worldwide Rights Deal". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 20, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Nocturnal Animals (15)". British Board of Film Classification. October 4, 2016. Archived from the original on December 27, 2017. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  4. ↑ Galloway, Stephen (September 7, 2016). "Tom Ford's Inner Life: A Director's Turmoil, Depression Battles and Staggering Talent". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 4, 2020. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 "Nocturnal Animals (2016)". The Numbers. Archived from the original on March 5, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Review: Masterfully Unsettling Nocturnal Animals Really Gets Under Your Skin". Parade.com. December 8, 2016. Archived from the original on August 11, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Nocturnal Animals review – Tom Ford's seductive cautionary tale". The Guardian. November 6, 2016. Archived from the original on November 29, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  8. 1 2 Alvarez, Joe; Orlova, Tamara A. (September 2, 2016). "Nocturnal Animals cast at the Venice Film Festival". Ikon London Magazine. Archived from the original on March 3, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
  9. ↑ Tartaglione, Nancy (July 28, 2016). "Venice Film Festival: Lido To Launch Pics From Ford, Gibson, Malick & More As Awards Season Starts To Buzz – Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 14, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  10. ↑ Tartaglione, Nancy (September 11, 2016). "Venice Film Festival: Golden Lion To 'The Woman Who Left'; Tom Ford's 'Nocturnal Animals', Emma Stone Take Major Prizes – Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  11. ↑ Alvarez, Joe; Orlova, Tamara A. (September 11, 2016). "Venice Film Festival 2016 Low-Down". Ikon London Magazine. Archived from the original on June 23, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Focus Features Celebrates Four Oscar Nominations". Focus Features. January 24, 2017. Archived from the original on February 3, 2017. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Golden Globes 2017: The Complete List of Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. December 12, 2016. Archived from the original on December 13, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Kit, Borys (March 25, 2015). "Jake Gyllenhaal, Amy Adams Circling Tom Ford's 'Nocturnal Animals'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 9, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  15. 1 2 Hipes, Patrick (August 28, 2015). "Armie Hammer Joins Tom Ford's 'Nocturnal Animals'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 6, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  16. 1 2 3 Kroll, Justin (August 6, 2015). "Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Michael Shannon Join Jake Gyllenhaal's 'Nocturnal Animals' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on December 29, 2017. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  17. 1 2 Fleming, Mike Jr. (September 9, 2015). "Isla Fisher Joins Tom Ford's 'Nocturnal Animals'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 23, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  18. 1 2 Fleming, Mike Jr. (September 18, 2015). "Tom Ford Adds Ellie Bamber To 'Nocturnal Animals'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 23, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  19. 1 2 3 Lincoln, Ross A. (October 5, 2015). "Karl Glusman Joins 'Nocturnal Animals'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 23, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  20. 1 2 Lincoln, Ross A. (September 30, 2015). "Robert Aramayo Nabs Roles In 'Game Of Thrones' & 'Nocturnal Animals'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 23, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  21. 1 2 Kit, Borys (March 24, 2015). "Tom Ford Teams With George Clooney for Thriller 'Nocturnal Animals' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 9, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  22. ↑ Zacharias, Ramona (January 10, 2017). "Communicating through Fiction: Tom Ford on Nocturnal Animals". Creative Screenwriting. Archived from the original on January 18, 2017. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  23. ↑ Lincoln, Ross A. (October 8, 2015). "Stan Lee & William Shatner To Unveil Collaboration At Comikaze 2015; 'Nocturnal Animals' Adds Peter Nyong'o". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 30, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  24. ↑ "On the Set for 10/9/15: Marc Webb & Chris Evans Start 'Gifted', Garry Marshall & Julia Roberts Wrap 'Mother's Day'". SSN Insider. October 9, 2015. Archived from the original on September 15, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
  25. ↑ "Yamashiro Hollywood". Sparkle Bungalow. November 30, 2016. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  26. ↑ Tangcay, Jazz (January 7, 2017). "Through the Lens...Tom Ford on Nocturnal Animals". Awards Daily. Archived from the original on January 10, 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  27. ↑ "On the Set 12/11/15: James Franco and Seth Rogen Start 'The Disaster Artist', Owen Wilson & Ed Helms Wrap 'Bastards'". SSN Insider. December 11, 2015. Archived from the original on December 13, 2015. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  28. ↑ Wohlwender, Mark (September 2, 2016). "Venice film festival 2016: Tom Ford's Nocturnal Animals world premiere – in pictures". The Guardian. Archived from the original on September 4, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  29. ↑ "Nocturnal Animals". Venice Film Festival. Archived from the original on September 14, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  30. ↑ "Nocturnal Animals". Toronto International Film Festival. Archived from the original on September 7, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  31. ↑ "Nocturnal Animals". BFI London Film Festival. Archived from the original on September 27, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Nocturnal Animals". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on October 10, 2019. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  33. ↑ Brevet, Brad (December 11, 2016). "'Moana' Threepeats at #1, 'La La Land' Opens Big in Limited Release". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on June 4, 2019. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  34. ↑ "Nocturnal Animals (2016)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  35. ↑ "Nocturnal Animals Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on March 5, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  36. ↑ Gleiberman, Owen (September 2, 2016). "Film Review: 'Nocturnal Animals'". Variety. Archived from the original on December 4, 2017. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  37. ↑ Hammond, Pete (November 15, 2016). "'Nocturnal Animals' Review: Tom Ford's Complex Suspense Thriller Is Worthy Of Hitchcock". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 2, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  38. ↑ Macnab, Geoffrey (September 2, 2016). "Nocturnal Animals Review: Tom Ford returns with a superb, painstakingly crafted movie sure to pick up awards". The Independent. Archived from the original on November 21, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  39. ↑ Maltin, Leonard (November 18, 2016). "The Haunting of 'Nocturnal Animals'". Leonardmaltin.com. Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  40. ↑ Travers, Peter (November 15, 2016). "'Nocturnal Animals' Review: Twisty Thriller Plays With Truth, Fiction, Murder". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  41. ↑ Coren Mitchell, Victoria (January 22, 2017). "I'm so glad to spoil this film for you". The Guardian. Archived from the original on April 1, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
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