In a stylish and sleek feature film debut from director Jacqueline Castel, My Animal is a ravishing, methodical tailspin into the life of a high schooler who finds herself in the center of two conflicting pulls: inheritance vs. nonconformity. Making its World Premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, this LGBTQ+ thriller is a fierce statement about identity and gives a platform to an exciting new voice in indie film.
Bobbi Salvör Menuez (Euphoria) and Amandla Stenberg (Bodies Bodies Bodies) star in this erotically-charged, supernatural coming-of-age story about “forbidden” love. Heather (Menuez) is an outcast in every sense of the word. She lives with her overbearing family on the outskirts of a small town where her freedom is limited, being forced into lockdown during every full moon. She finds temporary joy during the day at the local ice rink, quietly obsessing over the hockey team and constantly trying to persuade the coach to let her join this overwhelmingly male sport. Heather is used to being told no throughout her life, whether it be by the hockey coach, her family, or society in general. That’s why, when she meets Jonny (Stenberg) and isn’t met with an immediate dismissal, Heather latches onto this relationship as if it’s her life force.
Love can transform one into a beast. As Heather’s desire intensifies, so does her carnivorous, animalistic instincts. Under the moonlight, Heather transforms into a teenage werewolf unable to regulate any sense of composure or normalcy. This hidden secret is why her family operates as recluses from society, but like any teenage girl, Heather doesn’t want to be an “other.” She is desperate to be normal, not a lone wolf. Jonny’s presence in her life, while threatening to her parents, allows Heather to finally feel seen and accepted as she is.
Jacqueline Castel doesn’t concoct the stereotypical werewolf story with obvious tropes and outcomes in My Animal. Instead, she serves us a layered genre film that feels weighty in its point of view. Bobbi Salvör Menuez, who identifies as they/them, is perfectly cast as the angsty teenager searching for self-acceptance. Heather’s character arc is beautifully realized through Menuez’s performance, perhaps her best work to date. Without knowing for sure, I can only imagine Menuez brought some of their life experience into the role of Heather, adding to the character’s authenticity and depth. Aiding the film sonically is the electronic score by composer Augustus Muller (half of the duo Boy Harsher).
My Animal taps into the feeling of “otherness” that is often experienced throughout a lifetime. Through this provocative vessel, Jacqueline Castel encourages the viewer to reflect on their own coming-of-age story and tap into the potential werewolf inside all of us.
Distributed by Paramount Movies. In theaters Friday, September 8th, coming to VOD Friday, September 15th.
