The Trailer For Andy Serkis’ Animal Farm Is Really Quite Disturbing

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I just saw the first trailer for the long-awaited Animal Farm, and honestly, it left me feeling uneasy – but not in a good way. This project has been in the works since 2011, with Andy Serkis directing, and after numerous delays, it’s finally hitting screens on May 1, 2026. What should get people talking, though, is the incredible cast they’ve assembled. Seriously, Seth Rogen, Glenn Close, Steve Buscemi, Gaten Matarazzo, Kieran Culkin, Laverne Cox, and Woody Harrelson? That’s a lineup!

Initial reactions to the 2025 film adaptation of Animal Farm were largely divided, with most critics agreeing that it significantly softened the original message of George Orwell’s 1945 novel. While some level of change was anticipated, many viewers hoped that director Andy Serkis, known for his expertise in motion capture, would deliver a film that treated Orwell’s sharp political and social observations with depth and honesty.

Based on the new Animal Farm trailer, that is not the case.

Animal Farm’s 2025 Movie Turns A Dystopian Satire Into Something Like Zootopia Or Madagascar

Let me tell you, calling George Orwell’s Animal Farm ‘not a kids’ book’ feels like a massive understatement. This story is so much more than a simple fable. Orwell deliberately crafted it as a scathing critique of Stalin’s Russia – Napoleon is clearly a stand-in for Stalin himself, and Snowball represents Trotsky. The entire Russian Revolution unfolds through the lives of these farm animals, and honestly, you can’t separate the story from Orwell’s very pointed political views. It’s not just that Animal Farm has political themes; it is a direct retelling of historical events, disguised as an allegory.

It’s not surprising that Animal Farm caused quite a stir when it was first published in the 1940s. Orwell faced difficulties getting the book released in some countries, mainly because of its clear criticism of Joseph Stalin. Although not inappropriate for children, its cheerful title and animal characters often lead people to mistakenly believe it’s a simple children’s book, when in reality, it’s a clever and complex work of satire.

The recently released trailer for the 2025 film Animal Farm seems to have missed the point of the story. From what we’ve seen, it’s been turned into a typical animated movie for young children, similar to films like Zootopia, Madagascar, and the Minions. While there’s nothing wrong with those movies – many adults enjoy them too – that style doesn’t fit Animal Farm at all. It’s like trying to tell the serious story of Nineteen Eighty-Four as if it were a Trolls movie.

While politics still play a role, the film now focuses more on criticizing capitalism than on depicting the dangers of totalitarianism. The humor has also shifted, becoming much more slapstick and silly—think Seth Rogen’s Napoleon doing a ridiculous dance and proclaiming people will enjoy it. When a character meant to be Stalin is essentially twerking, it’s clear the film has lost its way.

The 2025 version of Animal Farm adds a modern, tech-focused element, including a villain played by Glenn Close as a billionaire. This makes it feel surprisingly similar to Despicable Me. While a direct critique of Stalin might not be necessary today, the character of Napoleon still embodies problematic political leadership. Judging by the trailer, this new Animal Farm seems to have about the same level of social and political commentary as The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which raises the question of whether adapting the original book was a worthwhile endeavor.

The trailer clashes with the spirit of Orwell’s book on every level. From the upbeat music and baby talk to the silly, over-the-top physical comedy, it feels indistinguishable from any other recent animated kids’ movie. It’s also ironic that a film supposedly critical of business and capitalism is so eager to follow the typical formula for mainstream animated success.

The Signs Aren’t Good, But Reserve Judgment Until Animal Farm Is Released In Full

You can’t really get a good idea of what a movie is like from just the trailer, and making a new version of Animal Farm for today’s kids makes sense. Director Andy Serkis has done great work with films like Breathe, Mowgli, and even the best Venom movie. It’s possible the trailer is full of goofy humor to try and sell a potentially difficult film, and the actual movie will be a more faithful adaptation of George Orwell’s book.

The story still hits all the key points – the animals taking charge, Napoleon becoming like the humans he overthrew, and the central idea that some individuals end up having more privileges than others.

The trailer for Animal Farm reveals some serious problems that might be difficult to fix. If the final movie matches the trailer’s tone, it could be hard for anyone over 13 to watch, and it likely won’t appeal to fans of the book. Furthermore, if the movie focuses more on business than politics, it loses its ability to share Orwell’s message in a way that resonates with today’s young audiences – WALL-E already explored similar themes more effectively.

Doesn’t the bleakness at the core of Orwell’s Animal Farm actually drive home its main message? The story continues to resonate after eighty years because it offers a disturbingly accurate reflection of how humans behave. A watered-down version would feel dishonest, like trying to disguise a harsh truth.

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2025-12-16 21:49