Watch Nocturnal Animals

Nocturnal Animals is a psychological thriller film released in 2016, directed by fashion designer Tom Ford, and starring Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Michael Shannon. The movie was based on the 1993 novel, "Tony and Susan" by Austin Wright. Susan Morrow (played by Amy Adams) is an art gallery owner who receives a manuscript called "Nocturnal Animals" written by her ex-husband Edward Sheffield (played by Jake Gyllenhaal), whom she has not seen or spoken to for almost two decades. Susan is unhappily married to Hutton Morrow (Armie Hammer), a businessman who treats her more like an ornament rather than his wife.

As Susan starts reading Edward's novel, the movie shifts between two different narratives – one being the real-time story of Susan's life, while the other is the fictional story of Edward's manuscript. The fictional storyline revolves around a fictional character named Tony Hastings (played by Jake Gyllenhaal) and his family who are brutally attacked by a gang while driving through a remote part of Texas. The attack leads to the rape and murder of Tony's wife (Isla Fisher) and daughter, which results in the character of Tony seeking revenge.

As Susan delves deeper into Edward's manuscript, she finds herself becoming increasingly drawn into the story, realizing that Edward's novel is a dark reflection of their failed relationship. She becomes obsessed with the novel, leaving herself to reflect on her life and past errors.

The movie is expertly directed, and Tom Ford's keen eye for detail and style is evident throughout the film. The movie's visuals are stunning and stylized, which provides an original and creative look. The atmospheric visual narrative combines with the story's uncomfortable, gripping tension to create a distinct, heightened sense of horrific dread that remains present throughout the film.

The performances of the actors are flawless, starting with Amy Adams, who gives an excellent and nuanced portrayal of a woman dealing with her emotions while confronting her past. Jake Gyllenhaal is also impressive, delivering an intense and passionate performance as both Edward and Tony, showcasing his remarkable acting skills. Michael Shannon delivers another standout performance, playing the role of Bobby Andes, a Texas ranger on the hunt for the gang responsible for the crime.

Nocturnal Animals is a beautiful and poignant commentary on the toll that past events can take on a person's psyche. The movie's themes explore the idea that people can be haunted by their past, often damaging them in ways that they may not fully understand.

Overall, Nocturnal Animals is a suspenseful and thrilling movie that is well thought out and visually-stunning. It's a psychologically complex movie that will keep you guessing until the end, and remains unforgettable long after the credits roll. This film is a testament to Tom Ford's artistic vision, and the outstanding performances of the cast. It's one of the best psychological thrillers of the decade and highly recommended for anyone who loves a good mystery.

Nocturnal Animals is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 56 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 67.