The phrase 'man is a wolf to man' takes on additional subtext in the original sci-fi film 'The Animal Kingdom', which is hitting the big screens. The French film shows how people turn into animals, but at the same time turn out to be more human than...

We are presented with a world similar to ours, with one exception — people in it turn into hybrid creatures with animals. A peculiar disease does not affect everyone indiscriminately, but selectively. And there is no cure for these mutations in the body. To understand the real (not geographical) scale of the tragedy, we observe the story of one family, where the mother has already transformed, and the father (Romain Duris) and son (Paul Kircher) each try to cope with the inevitable changes in their own way.

Loneliness is one of the main themes that has troubled people for centuries. The euphoria of the 21st century from the advent of the internet, which allows escape from unpleasant feelings, is fading, and in its place comes the realization that we have become even more isolated than before. Loneliness in a crowd, rejection and misunderstanding of others' feelings and thoughts, the desire to change oneself to fit in — this is familiar to everyone. And it has been particularly troubling people in recent years, as the world increasingly approaches the brink from which it seemed to be trying to flee.

The original sci-fi film 'The Animal Kingdom' made a loud statement at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, where it was the opening film of the 'Un Certain Regard' program. And it is a very successful choice, as the film combines elements of several genres at once: social dystopia, body horror, coming-of-age novel, and family drama. But if I were to characterize 'The Animal Kingdom' in one word, I would choose 'loneliness'.

Director Thomas Cailley subtly explores this feeling from different angles. The first thing he discusses is the rejection in society of those very people with metamorphoses, who are forced to flee and hide in the forest. Otherwise, they face years of suffering and isolation in a society where there is no longer a place for them.

This film is also about the personal loneliness of each of us, caused by misunderstanding in relationships with loved ones, the inability to establish contact, express oneself, and not be punished for it. To be different and still be loved, or at least respected. And the mutations that appear suddenly and selectively are like a metaphor for the internal struggle that takes place in each of us when we choose to conform to society or defend our uniqueness.

The film also speaks about the fear of being alone, which is primarily shown through the story of the father and son. They try to come to terms not only with what happened to the mother/wife but also to resolve their unspoken problems. Overprotectiveness and separation are perhaps among the most frequently encountered words in psychology podcasts, and in 'The Animal Kingdom', the director does not forget to remind us of the difficulties in parent-child relationships. As they say, if you love, let go.

Rather superficially, but still, Thomas Cailley touches on career loneliness through the example of the heroine Adèle Exarchopoulos. Working as a police officer, she is forced to swallow inappropriate jokes from her male colleagues and feel out of place in this masculine atmosphere.

'The Animal Kingdom' is a very personal film, despite the events unfolding across various locations, people, and even spheres of society. The author shares his anxiety, fears, and thoughts about where our world might be heading. And although it is sci-fi, there is a lot that is understandable and real for us now.

The author literally states outright that the growing feeling of loneliness and disconnection between people does not lead to attempts to get closer, to understand others. Loneliness breeds hatred and even greater misunderstanding, which in turn intensifies this loneliness, resulting in a vicious circle. And the way out of it, as Thomas Cailley believes, is to learn to listen to others, to be kinder, and to understand that our differences are what make us better.

Watch 'The Animal Kingdom' on the big screen from November 30. Thanks for the film to the distribution companies A-One and Russian World Vision.