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This is a psychological thriller directed by Tom Ford, based on the novel ‘Tony and Susan’ by Austin Wright.
The plot follows Susan Morrow, played by Amy Adams, a successful art gallery owner in Los Angeles who leads a seemingly perfect life, but feels empty and disillusioned.
Her marriage to Hutton Morrow (Armie Hammer) is shallow and lacks emotional connection.
One day, Susan receives a manuscript entitled ‘Nocturnal Animals’, written by her ex-husband Edward Sheffield (Jake Gyllenhaal), an author who has struggled to find his voice in the literary world.
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The arrival of the book triggers a series of memories and reflections in Susan about her relationship with Edward, as well as the choices she has made in the past.
The narrative of the book Susan reads is presented in parallel to her present life. The story within the manuscript follows a man named Tony Hastings (also played by Jake Gyllenhaal), who embarks on a road trip with his wife and daughter.
However, their journey turns into a nightmare when they are attacked by a group of criminals on a deserted road. The book's plot is intense and violent, reflecting the anguish and pain Edward feels at Susan's betrayal.
As Susan reads on, she becomes more and more connected to the story and begins to question her own decisions and the impact they had on Edward's life.
The narrative becomes increasingly dark and tense, and the violence in the book becomes a mirror of the broken relationship between Susan and Edward.
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As Susan delves deeper into the story, she is confronted with her own demons and the reality of her life, which leads her to deep introspection.
The film is notable for its elegant visual style and haunting atmosphere, characteristic of Tom Ford's work. The transitions between Susan's life and the novel's story are carefully crafted, creating a contrast between the glamorous world of art and the brutality of the book's narrative.
The cinematography is stunning, with a colour palette that reflects the emotional state of the characters.