Nocturnal Animals – Monday 9th February 2026

I watched it for the first time, and I REALLY liked it!

Such a stylish and original film. The tone, the music, the cinematography; all brilliant, as were the actors. But what really made it so enjoyable, was the story! The device of a story within a story is nothing new, but usually one of them is weaker than the other; in this film, both were equally compelling.

I really appreciated the fact that I couldn’t see where the film was going, which is pretty rare, especially with ‘Hollywood’ movies. I was completely invested in the characters, in both stories.

There is some conjecture about how one story relates to the other, and I think the novel being read, is a metaphor for the relationship the main character had with the author.. somehow. It definitely requires some contemplation; but the great thing about the film is, even if you just take it at face value, and treat it as two unrelated stories, it still works, because as said, both stories are equally good and work on their own merit.

I also liked the way the director let each shot sit and breathe; he wasn’t in a rush to cut to the next one, but equally, the shots didn’t linger past their point of interest. It was just good, unhurried, pacing. This meant we could enjoy the acting; Amy Adams in particular, was mesmerising; her eyes just shone.

The ending was a bit abrupt, and to be honest, Amy Adams’ character doesn’t receive much of a ‘revenge’, but it is often stated that her ex-husband was weak, so that’s clearly the reason why.

Speaking of which, that’s one of the main themes of the film; the torment of being a ‘weak man’, something that is utterly unforgivable in this world. A man’s sensitive nature may be tolerated by some, for a while, but a weak man cannot survive without suffering.

Great film, and definitely worth watching!