Andy Serkis responds to backlash over his version of Animal Farm – and argues what George Orwell would have wanted

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Andy Serkis has addressed the criticism his animated version of George Orwell‘s novel, Animal Farm, has received.

Directed by Serkis, the film premiered at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2025 and will be released in the US on May 1st.

As a movie fan, I was really intrigued to hear that Andy Serkis’s take on Animal Farm isn’t a straight adaptation. He’s clearly aiming for a wider audience, and it sounds like he’s doing that by injecting some fun – a more upbeat ending, even a rap sequence, and a good dose of humor. It’s a bold move, updating such a classic, but it could really work!

The movie boasts a fantastic cast, featuring stars like Seth Rogen, Gaten Matarazzo from Stranger Things, Kieran Culkin, Steve Buscemi, and Woody Harrelson.

Because of these varying opinions, the film has received generally negative reviews, scoring just 36% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Serkis isn’t worried about the negative reviews, believing that sparking debate and conversation is precisely what Orwell intended with his writing.

Following a varied response to the first trailer, Andy Serkis explained to Polygon that he was pleased with the range of reactions. Some viewers criticized it, claiming it would upset George Orwell or was overly silly, while others praised it as a potentially significant film of the year.

Originally published as a book in 1945, this story tells the tale of farm animals who rebel against their cruel owner.

But it doesn’t take long for the pigs to seize power and establish a tyrannical rule over the farm. Ultimately, they become just as oppressive as the humans they overthrew.

Serkis also explained he hoped the story would connect with children, encouraging them to talk to their families and inspire positive change through its message.

He explained that simply giving up isn’t an option. Instead, we should ask ourselves how we can learn from the past and work to create a different future, even if history seems destined to repeat itself.

He clarified that the movie’s ending is quite different from the book’s because the novel doesn’t really have a conclusive final section, whereas the film does.

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Tilly PearceFreelance Writer

Tilly Pearce is a TV journalist who writes about a wide variety of shows, from popular reality series like Love Is Blind to science fiction hits like Fallout. She’s a highly qualified journalist, holding NCTJ Gold Standard accreditation, and has experience working as a deputy editor at both Digital Spy and Daily Express US.

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2026-04-24 15:34