Nocturnal Animals Information

Nocturnal Animals is a 2016 American drama thriller film directed and written by Tom Ford, based on the 1993 novel Tony and Susan by Austin Wright. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Amy Adams, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Michael Shannon, Isla Fisher, Armie Hammer and Laura Linney. Principal photography began on October 5, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. It was selected to compete for the Golden Lion at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival. The film is scheduled to be released on November 18, 2016, by Focus Features.

Premise

An art gallery owner (Amy Adams) is haunted by her ex-husband (Jake Gyllenhaal)'s novel, a violent thriller she interprets as a veiled threat and a symbolic revenge tale.

Cast

• Jake Gyllenhaal as Edward Sheffield / Tony Hastings
• Amy Adams as Susan Morrow
• Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Ray Marcus
• Michael Shannon as Detective Bobby Andes
• Isla Fisher as Laura Hastings
• Armie Hammer as Walker Morrow
• Laura Linney as Anne Sutton
• Ellie Bamber as India Hastings
• Robert Aramayo as Turk
• Kristin Bauer van Straten
• Karl Glusman as Lou
• Jena Malone as Sage Ross
• Michael Sheen as Carlos
• Andrea Riseborough as Alessia

Production

On March 24, 2015, it was announced that Smoke House Pictures' partners George Clooney and Grant Heslov would be producing a thriller Nocturnal Animals, based on the Austin Wright's 1993 novel Tony and Susan. Tom Ford was set to direct the film based on his own script. On the next day, Jake Gyllenhaal was set to star for the lead role Tony, while Amy Adams was in talks for the female lead role Susan, and sources confirmed that Joaquin Phoenix and Aaron Taylor-Johnson were also being eyed for different roles. Focus Features acquired the US distribution rights to the film on May 17, 2015, while Universal Pictures would handle the international distribution. Focus' deal was made with $20 million, making this a biggest deal of 2015 Cannes Film Festival and one of the biggest in the last few years. On August 6, 2015, Taylor-Johnson was confirmed for the role of a mysterious person who poses a threat to Gyllenhaal's character's family, along with Michael Shannon also added to the cast to play a detective investigating the violent incident. On August 28, 2015, Armie Hammer also joined the cast of the film to play Walker Morrow, Adam's character's husband. On September 9, 2015, Isla Fisher joined the film to play Laura Hastings, Tony's wife. On September 18, 2015, Ellie Bamber was cast in the film to play Tony's daughter. On September 30, 2015, Robert Aramayo was added to the cast. On October 5, 2015, Karl Glusman signed on to star in the film. On October 8, 2015, Peter Nyong'o was also cast in the film.

Principal photography on the film began on October 5, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. It wrapped up on December 5, 2015.

Release

Nocturnal Animals had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on September 2, 2016. The film will also screen at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2016 and at the BFI London Film Festival on October 14, 2016.

The film is scheduled to be released on November 18, 2016.

Critical response

Nocturnal Animals received general acclaim from critics following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, with the performances of Gyllenhaal, Adams, Shannon, Taylor-Johnson and Linney being praised. On Rotten Tomatoes the film currently has an approval rating of 92% based on 12 reviews, with an average rating of 7.4/10. On Metacritic the film currently has a score of 80 out of 100, based on 10 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".