Nocturnal Animals Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A lady reads a book her ex wrote, and it’s like, *totally* about her, but with more murder and less art galleries.

🍿 Nocturnal Animals: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Susan’s Present

Susan Morrow, a wealthy Los Angeles art gallery owner, lives a life of superficial luxury. She’s unfulfilled in her marriage to Hutton, who’s often away on business and unfaithful. One day, she receives a manuscript in the mail from her ex-husband, Edward Sheffield, whom she hasn’t seen in years. The novel is titled ‘Nocturnal Animals’ and dedicated to her, piquing her curiosity and stirring up memories.

The Novel: ‘Nocturnal Animals’

As Susan reads the manuscript, the story unfolds visually. It centers on Tony Hastings, his wife Laura, and their daughter India, who are terrorized on a desolate Texas highway by a group of violent men. The situation escalates, leading to a horrifying tragedy. The novel is brutal and disturbing, deeply affecting Susan as she begins to see parallels between the story and her past relationship with Edward.

Flashbacks and Regrets

Interwoven with the present and the novel’s narrative are flashbacks to Susan’s relationship with Edward. These scenes reveal their initial love, his aspirations as a writer, and her eventual disillusionment. Her mother’s disapproval of Edward and Susan’s own growing cynicism contribute to the demise of their marriage. She leaves him for the wealthier Hutton, a decision she now seems to regret.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Susan Morrow (Amy Adams): A wealthy but unfulfilled art gallery owner who confronts her past when her ex-husband’s novel forces her to re-evaluate her choices.
• Tony Hastings/Edward Sheffield (Jake Gyllenhaal): A writer and his fictional character, both grappling with themes of loss, weakness, and the desire for revenge, representing different facets of the protagonist’s past.
• Ray Marcus (Aaron Taylor-Johnson): The vicious and remorseless leader of the gang whose actions trigger the tragic events in Edward’s novel, symbolizing the brutality and consequences of moral weakness.
• Bobby Andes (Michael Shannon): A terminally ill detective who guides Tony in his quest for vengeance, embodying a sense of justice and moral ambiguity.
• Hutton Morrow (Armie Hammer): Susan’s detached and unfaithful husband, representing the superficiality and emptiness of her current life.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Edward Sheffield: “When you love someone you have to be careful with it, you might never get it again.” – Edward says this to Susan, foreshadowing the film’s exploration of regret and lost love.
• Bobby Andes: “You know what’s worse than knowing you want something, and not getting it? It’s knowing you got it, and then lost it.” – Bobby Andes reflects on loss and regret, reinforcing the film’s themes.
• Anne Sutton: “We all eventually turn into our mothers.” – Susan’s mother warns her about the inevitability of becoming like her, foreshadowing Susan’s later regrets.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $22,500,000
• Domestic Gross: $10,663,357
• Worldwide Gross: $30,311,857

💥 Nocturnal Animals Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, ‘Nocturnal Animals’ messed with my head. I went in expecting a thriller, but it was way more than that. Amy Adams is amazing; you really feel her regret. The story within the story was intense and brutal, and I couldn’t look away. The ending left me thinking about it for days. Did he forgive her? Was it all just revenge? So many questions!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of psychological thrillers”
  • “Viewers who appreciate stylish and visually striking films”
  • “Those interested in stories about regret, revenge, and the consequences of choices”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Sexual assault”
  • “Disturbing imagery”
  • “Strong language”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Tom Ford’s second directorial effort is a visually stunning and emotionally gripping thriller that explores themes of revenge, regret, and the consequences of past actions. Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal deliver powerhouse performances in this stylish and thought-provoking film.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Nocturnal Animals is a masterclass in suspense, with Ford expertly ratcheting up the tension in both the ‘real-life’ and the ‘story-within-a-story’ narratives. While some may find the ending unsatisfying, the film’s haunting atmosphere and strong performances make it a worthwhile experience.
• Empire: “A bleak and stylish thriller that burrows under your skin, with powerful performances from Adams and Gyllenhaal. Ford proves he’s more than just a fashion designer, crafting a compelling and disturbing exploration of guilt and revenge.

Audience Reactions

The film’s visual style is stunning, with meticulous attention to detail and striking imagery.: Viewers frequently compliment the film’s aesthetic, describing it as sophisticated and visually captivating.

Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal both deliver exceptional performances that are emotionally resonant and nuanced.: Many audience members applaud the strong performances, citing them as a highlight of the film.

Overall Consensus: Stylish and disturbing, Nocturnal Animals is a visually arresting thriller with strong performances and a haunting exploration of guilt and revenge, though some find the ending divisive.

Awards

1. Golden Globe (Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture)- 2017

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Tom Ford intentionally avoided using any Tom Ford-branded products in the film, wanting the focus to be on the story and not a commercial tie-in.”
• “The film is based on the 1993 novel “Tony and Susan” by Austin Wright. Tom Ford initially considered adapting the novel into two separate films.”
• “Amy Adams and Isla Fisher, who play Susan Morrow and Laura Hastings respectively, are often mistaken for each other in real life, adding an intentional layer to their casting.”
• “Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s performance as Ray Marcus earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture.”

🖥️ How to Watch Nocturnal Animals?

Nocturnal Animals is available for streaming on platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, depending on your region. You can rent or buy the movie on Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Nocturnal Animals, you might like these similar films:

• A Single Man (2009): Also directed by Tom Ford, it shares a similar aesthetic and explores themes of loss and regret.
• Prisoners (2013): Features Jake Gyllenhaal and explores similar dark themes of violence, loss, and the search for justice.
• Gone Girl (2014): Features a suspenseful narrative with dark themes of revenge and complex relationships.
• Mulholland Drive (2001): Shares a complex, dreamlike narrative structure and explores themes of identity and illusion.

🛒 Nocturnal Animals Related Products

• Nocturnal Animals [Blu-ray]: Own the critically acclaimed thriller on stunning Blu-ray. Experience Tom Ford’s visually arresting and emotionally gripping film in high definition with enhanced audio.
• Tony and Susan: The Basis for the Major Motion Picture Nocturnal Animals: Dive deeper into the story with the original novel by Austin Wright, which inspired the film. A must-read for fans seeking to explore the source material and compare it to the on-screen adaptation.
• Nocturnal Animals Movie Poster: Decorate your space with this high-quality movie poster, featuring striking imagery from the film. A perfect way to showcase your appreciation for this captivating thriller.
• Art Gallery Owner T-Shirt: Wear you inner art critic with the officially licensed ‘Art Gallery Owner’ T-shirt. Show off your appreciation for the film’s dark humor and stylish world.

🎧 Soundtrack

Nocturnal Animals features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Baudelaire” – performed by Serge Gainsbourg
• “Hometown” – performed by Abel Korzeniowski

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Nocturnal Animals – Movie Review

If you’re looking for an in-depth analysis of Nocturnal Animals, check out this review by Chris Stuckmann. He gives his honest opinion on the movie’s plot, characters, and themes, and his insights might help you appreciate the film even more.

The Most Disturbing Scenes in Cinema

Prepare to be disturbed! This video features a scene from Nocturnal Animals in a compilation of the most unsettling scenes in cinema. If you’re curious about the movie’s ability to create a sense of unease, this video will give you a taste.

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