Animale joins the wave of horror-thrillers that explore female transformation, alongside films like Julia Ducournau's Raw (2016) and Titane (2021), and Amanda Nell Eu's Tiger Stripes (2023). These transformations often emerge from the repression of female desire in male-dominated societies—and Animale is no exception. Protagonist Nejma dreams of breaking into the male-dominated world of bullfighting. Nejma, the film's protagonist, dreams of entering the hyper-masculine world of bullfighting. Early in the film, it seems that her male peers have accepted her into their world, with her accepting their banters. But after a night of partying, she blacks out—and it is revealed that they did not. Though set in rural France, Animale speaks to the quiet, everyday marginalization of women everywhere. Shot by Ruben Impens (Titane, The Eight Mountains) and anchored by a magnetic performance from Oulaya Amamra, the film pairs chilling visuals with raw emotional power. (MOON Seok)