Animal Arriving on Netflix: 8 Intriguing, Debatable, or Outrageous Moments from Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal

In the era of social media, outrage has become a lucrative business, even for those who express outrage over outrageous things. Sandeep Reddy Vanga, the director of Animal, knows how to cater to both sides of the spectrum, delivering yet another divisive and questionable knockout. The film has sparked strong opinions and debates, with Vanga intentionally inviting scrutiny. Interestingly, nobody seems willing to step back.

The common adage of “don’t watch if you don’t want to” doesn’t apply here, as even those critical of the director’s previous work are drawn in, knowing they will have plenty to scream, moan, and argue about. Vanga, in turn, serves up hair-raising and problematic moments that make the film what it is – a morally debatable explosion. Here are some notable talking points from the film that caught our attention. Warning: Spoilers ahead!

Early in the film, there is a scene where Ranvijay (played by Ranbir Kapoor) explains to Geetanjali (played by Rashmika Mandanna), who has just become engaged, that arts and poetry were invented so that men who couldn’t hunt, gather, or satisfy their women would have something to do. It’s a display of locker-room talk disguised as philosophy, shockingly vain, simple, and in-your-face. It also provides the first real glimpse into the psyche of a problematic anti-hero who will only become worse.

Ranvijay, an aeronautics engineer, takes Geetanjali on a literal flight of fancy on their first night together after a defiant, runaway marriage. He flies a plane, and they engage in intimate activities while cruising over unspecified territory. While the sight of rich people leisurely flying in private jets is familiar, this particular scene is anything but ordinary.

The film showcases a strong father obsession, but the disdain the protagonist harbors for his clingy brother-in-law is initially comical until it takes a dark turn, becoming a shocking and clinical act of violence. Ranvijay walks into an office, accompanied by suited men, and cold-bloodedly murders his brother-in-law. It’s a vicious and chilling sequence that sets the stage for the rest of the narrative, which descends into madness with riotous ambiguity.