Nocturnal Animals (Film)

Tom Ford’s directorial effort, Nocturnal Animals, is adapted from Austin Wright’s novel Tony and Susan. The screenplay, also written by Ford, features a cast including Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Isla Fisher and Armie Hammer. Nocturnal Animals explores themes of revenge, loss, guilt, and confronting one’s past.

Plot and Themes

The film centers on the life of Susan Morrow (Amy Adams), an art gallery owner. Susan receives by mail a manuscript of a novel written by her former husband, Edward Sheffield (Jake Gyllenhaal), whom she left years earlier. The novel depicts a nightmare in which Tony Hastings (also played by Jake Gyllenhaal) and his family are subjected to violence and tragedy during a road trip. As Susan reads the novel, she is forced to confront memories of her past and recognize parallels between fiction and her real life. The film places at its core the protagonist’s inner transformation and the impact of the past on present existence.

Scene from the Film (IMDb)

Cast

The leading roles in Nocturnal Animals are played by Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

• Amy Adams (Susan Morrow): Portrays a successful art gallery director who grapples with past mistakes and emotional emptiness.
• Jake Gyllenhaal (Edward Sheffield / Tony Hastings): Delivers a dual performance, portraying both Edward, Susan’s ex-husband, and Tony, the protagonist of the novel he wrote.
• Michael Shannon (Detective Bobby Andes): Plays a hardened detective who aids Tony in the novel’s narrative. He received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 89th Academy Awards for this role.
• Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Ray Marcus): Portrays a sadistic criminal who terrorizes Tony’s family within the novel’s universe, winning the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor.

Scene from the Film (IMDb)

Production Process

Nocturnal Animals is Tom Ford’s second feature film as director. It is adapted from Austin Wright’s 1993 novel Tony and Susan, with the adaptation screenplay written by Ford himself.

Production began in 2015, with filming taking place primarily in California and Texas, including Los Angeles. Cinematographer Seamus McGarvey used transitions between dark and pastel tones to visually reinforce the film’s dual narrative structure. Art direction and editing were carefully designed to establish parallels between the novel’s sections and the real world.

Box Office Performance

Nocturnal Animals earned approximately $32.4 million worldwide. It generated about $10.6 million in the United States and approximately $21.8 million in international markets. The film’s estimated production budget was around $22.5 million.

Scene from the Film (IMDb)

Character Analysis

• Susan Morrow: Despite a successful career, she leads an internally unfulfilled life and struggles in personal relationships. The novel sent by her ex-husband Edward, whom she emotionally betrayed in the past, triggers a confrontation with her conscience. Over time, Susan is forced to face her inner loneliness and regrets.
• Edward Sheffield / Tony Hastings: As Susan’s ex-husband, Edward is defined by his artistic sensitivity and emotional fragility. His novel serves as a symbolic expression of the betrayal he endured. Through the character of Tony, Edward artistically explores the trauma of abandonment and the desire for revenge.
• Ray Marcus: A sadistic and menacing figure within the novel. Ray is not merely a fictional character but also a metaphorical reflection of Susan’s past mistakes, her conscience, and the fears she has suppressed.
• Detective Bobby Andes: Represents the mechanism of justice within the novel. His harsh methods question the boundaries of law in pursuit of justice, while his symbiotic relationship with Tony interrogates themes of power and conscience.

Awards and Nominations

89th Academy Awards (2017)

• Best Supporting Actor – Michael Shannon (Nominated)

74th Golden Globe Awards (2017)

• Best Supporting Actor – Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Won)
• Best Director – Tom Ford (Nominated)
• Best Screenplay – Tom Ford (Nominated)
• Best Film – Drama (Nominated)

Satellite Awards (2016)

• Best Adapted Screenplay – Tom Ford (Won)
• Best Supporting Actor – Michael Shannon (Nominated)
• Best Art Direction and Production Design (Nominated)