This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the film being covered here wouldn’t exist.
In My Animal, things get steamy in a small town in the middle of winter when someone new comes to town.
There’s an instant connection between an outcast teenage goalie named Heather (Bobbi Salvör Menuez), who also happens to be a werewolf, and the newcomer in town named Jonny (Amandla Stenberg), who happens to be a figure skater. [ed note: Wait, is this a queer werewolf retelling of The Cutting Edge? Should I be screaming “TOE PICK” right now???]
While the trailer didn’t have any sexy scenes on the skating rink (because that’s where they have to have their supernatural meet-cute, right?), it did have some intense scenes between Heather and Jonny, with the definite suggestion that this supernatural tale leans into the hot and heavy side.
Here’s the official synopsis for My Animal:
Bobbi Salvör Menuez (Euphoria) and Amandla Stenberg (Bodies Bodies Bodies) ignite in this genre-bending supernatural love story. Tormented by a hidden family curse, Heather is forced to live a secluded life on the outskirts of a small town. When she falls for the rebellious Jonny, their connection threatens to unravel Heather’s suppressed desires, tempting her to unleash the animal within.
Jacqueline Castel’s feature directorial debut comes with My Animal. The film was written by Jae Matthews, in her first writing credit for a feature-length film. The movie premieres in select theaters on September 8, 2023 and will be available on digital starting September 15, 2023.
