Ben Affleck directs and co-writes a new thriller titled "Animals," in which he plays a Brentwood businessman running for Los Angeles mayor. The Oscar winner is a longtime political activist who has supported the presidential campaigns of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris. According to Variety, members of the "Animals" cast have expressed interest in seeing Affleck run for actual political office. Affleck responded to this suggestion with self-deprecating humor, joking "Maybe they hate me" in response to their encouragement. The film marks Affleck's work as both star and filmmaker, combining his acting career with his behind-the-scenes creative involvement. His political activism spans multiple election cycles, demonstrating sustained engagement with Democratic candidates across nearly two decades of presidential races. The premise of "Animals" centers on a mayoral campaign in Los Angeles, a major U.S. city where Affleck maintains residence in the Brentwood neighborhood depicted in the film.