Animals is a 2021 psychological thriller film directed by Nabil Ben Yadir. It stars Soufiane Chilah and was written by Antoine Cuypers and Ben Yadir, who also produced alongside Benoit Roland. The film is based on the 2012 murder of gay man Ihsane Jarfi in Liège. The murder was denounced as a hate crime and became the first case of homophobic violence recognized by law in Belgium. It was screened at the Film Fest Ghent on 13 October 2021, where it competed for the Grand Prix. At the 12th Magritte Awards, Animals received six nominations, including Best Film and Best Director for Ben Yadir. Cast Soufiane Chilah as Ihsane Jarfi Gianni Guettaf as Loïc Vincent Overath as Geoffroy Lionel Maisin as Christophe Serkan Sancak as Milos Critical reception Animals received polarized reviews from film critics, with praise towards Soufiane Chilah's performance and Frank van den Eeden's cinematography, but criticism towards its graphic portrayal of violence and crime. Accolades References External links 2021 films 2021 crime drama films 2021 crime thriller films 2021 LGBT-related films Belgian crime drama films Belgian crime thriller films Belgian films based on actual events Crime films based on actual events Drama films based on actual events Films set in the 2010s Films set in Belgium Gay-related films Homophobia in fiction LGBT-related drama films LGBT-related films based on actual events Films about violence against LGBT people 2000s French-language films Belgian LGBT-related films