A New disease is causing people to mutate into various animal species. Francois' wife Lana is hospitalized, and in the process of mutating. Francois and his son Emile move closer to a center where she is being treated. One day, a bus carrying infected patients veers off the road and dozens escape into the forest.

Now, Francois and Emile is on a mission to find Lana, but Emile also notices abnormalities as he starts mutating. Emile's transformation is so effectively done. I enjoyed the way the film treated these mutated people with respect, and didn't make them out to be freaks or monsters (although they are considered by some of the characters as such, and referred to as critters.)

Emile meets a young man, Fix, who is transforming into an eagle, and the friendship between them was beautiful. Fix's mutation is also so well done, and almost believable.

This fantasy adventure concentrates on characterization, and I enjoyed all the characters. I loved the bond between Francois and Emile. The performances are excellent. The make-up effects are excellent. I loved the script, the setting near the woods, the hauntingly beautiful score, and the great visuals. The film has depth and substance. In general, I had a really good time with 'The Animal Kingdom'. This truly is a remarkable film.

The animal kingdom is a film that does good, already it is a new proof that when French fantasy cinema dares, it is. Imperfect also, yes, some dialogue and situation are not perfectly credible with some biases in the history a little steep and fast, But we easily forgive him so much to see the real staging and endearing characters all in a scenario that surprises and surprises, offers a real breath of fresh air. Full of poetry, the story managed to do what we have been waiting for so long: a real fantasy film, not an American film antic.

My only regret, even if the casting is interesting, remains the director of actor who at times is a really little right especially with the character of Émile and Julia (Adèle Exarchopoulos), Romain Duris is as for him and as often, impeccable. So yes the dialogues are not always well written and it's even quite surprising, because the film is doing very well at other times. In short, it is a bit irregular and it is a bit of a shame, like its history which does not always sound very realistic in the treatment of bugs in our society.

But the heart is elsewhere, the Animal Kingdom also chooses to be more poetic than realistic and it is little to be for better to avoid some discomfort that could occur for the benefit of what it tells. He catches up in every way with a treatment much smarter than it seems, full of meaning with his quality staging. The special effects are superb, the story offers an intelligent look that takes the guts (personally I really hooked from half) with a touch of humor well dosed. A little like the main character who assumes himself, the film seems to follow the same path, when he becomes himself, he touches with the finger what we hoped for more with French fantasy cinema: to tell something powerful and authentic without overbidding. Sign of our time, emphasis of our time on our own metamorphosis, it is a real moment of unexpected freedom that makes a crazy good.

An unusual phenomenon is spreading in the world. Humans randomly start mutating into animals. The cause of this process is unknown, and the treatments do not give results. The film focuses on a high school student who lives with his father, while his mother is in the process of mutation in a specialized institution.

"The Animal Kingdom" is a coming-of-age drama with elements of fantasy and horror and some humor. It can be interpreted in various ways, literally and metaphorically, but I don't want to get into that multitude of interpretations, let everyone judge for themselves. I will present only my impressions, positive and negative.

The film is visually beautiful. Cinematography, make-up, and effects are superb, and for much less money than in Hollywood. The creatures, for lack of a better term, are striking and endearing. Romain Duris is good in the role of the father, and Paul Kircher in the role of the son gave an Oscar-worthy performance. I like the messages that the film sends, and the main asset is certainly the originality of the premise and the approach to it.

However, in my opinion, the script is too weak for such an original and interesting idea. The story is insufficiently developed, especially for a film of over two hours. You will not find out how and why these mutations occur and on what scale. If humans devolved into lower primates, the film would fall into the realm of sci-fi, but as they randomly mutate into literally anything and everything, not just mammals, but insects, reptiles, amphibians, and birds, I'd rather classify it as fairy tale fantasy, which conflicts with the very realistic tone of the film. I get the impression that "The Animal Kingdom" got dissolved in trying to cover too many themes and send too many messages across too many genres, and as a result, it felt sketchy and tepid. The authors bit off more than they could swallow and failed to fulfill the big potential of the project they embarked on.

Overall, a technically good but essentially disappointing film. Still, it's worth watching, if for no other reason than for the contrast to the garbage America is showering us with, the original ideas and performance of Paul Kircher.

7/10.