My Animalmarks thedebut feature of Jacqueline Castel, a new promising American-Canadian filmmaker of the horror genre. The movie was one of the most discussed films of 2023’sSundance, a film festival known for welcoming the best new indie productions of the year. In the movie, a young woman struggles to keep her lycanthropy a secret when she falls madly in love with a figure skater, engaging in a romance that will have dark consequences.
Although werewolves are among the most popular fictional creatures in pop culture, they haven’t been explored enough when compared to vampires or witches. Castel’s film offers a refreshing take on the werewolf mythology, delving deep into family relations and the curse recipients' struggles to lead a normal life.
Bobbi Salvör Menuez as Heather
Heather, a young woman harboring a terrible secret, is played byBobbi Salvör Menuez. Following Heather at all times,My Animalis also an effective coming-of-age movie, and the girl is faced with a harrowing dilemma: keep her lycanthropy a secret as her family insists or trust in the girl she fell in love with.My Animalis Menuez’s entry into the horror genre.
The actor first rose to prominence in the French rom-comSomething in the Air, where they played Leslie. Menuez went on to play Katie inWhite Girl, Samatha Morrow inNocturnal Animals,and Sophie inLandline. On TV, they are known for playing Bella inTransparent, Toby inI Love Dick, and TC inEuphoria.
Related:Talk to Me Cast and Character Guide
Amandla Stenberg as Jonny
Jonny, Heather’s love interest, is played byAmandla Stenberg. Heather isn’t the only one facing personal problems inMy Animal:Jonny immediately falls for Heather, but her jealous boyfriend turns out to be a huge obstacle. Stenberg was only 11 years old when she made her acting debut inColombiana, and viewers might be familiar with her role as Rue inThe Hunger Gamesone year later; a young tribute from District 11 who befriends Katniss Everdeen.
Stenberg also playedMacey Irving inSleepy Hollow,Julie inThe Eddy, and Sophie inBodies Bodies Bodies. She’s also a talented voice actor, voicing Bia inRio 2and Margo Kess inSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
Heidi von Palleske as Patti
Patti, Heather’s human mother, is played byHeidi von Palleske. The actress is a veteran of the horror genre and kicked off her career in 1985 inTerminal Choice, getting her first big role three years later in David Cronenberg’sDead Ringers, a psychological horror that justgot a remakewith Rachel Weisz, about two identical twins who use their similarity to achieve wicked objectives. Additionally, Palleske also starred in movies such asTake the Lead,George Romero’sLand of the Dead, RED, and the 2019 remake of Cronenberg’sRabid.
Stephen McHattie as Henry
Henry, Heather’s father, is played byStephen McHattie. Different from Patti, Henry is a werewolf and his genes passed on to Heather, for better and for worse. The actor is best known for playing the Loyalist in thesomewhat historically accurateepic300, and has a history of horror movies in his career: McHattie starred inPontypool, Z, Pay the Ghost, Mother, andRabid,the latter of which he co-stars with hisMy Animalscreen partner Heidi von Palleske.
Other successful titles in McHattie’s filmography includeWatchmen, 2012, Secretary,andNightmare Alley. On TV, the actor is known for playing Samuel Allen in October Faction and Lou inEssex County.
Related:The 20 Greatest Indie Horror Movies of All Time
Cory Lipman as Rick
Rick, Jonny’s problematic boyfriend, is played byCory Lipman. Rick is introduced as a low-key antagonist whose obsessive jealousy might cause him to have a tantrum at any time. Lipman is relatively new to the film industry, starring only in a couple of short movies and the 2020 crime thrillerTarget Number One.On TV, the actor collects a series of small roles in single episodes ofReign, Murdoch Mysteries,Coroner, andAir Crash Investigation.
Joe Apollonio as Otto
Joe Apolloniojoined the cast ofMy Animalas Otto. The actor made his acting debut in 2014 as Brett in an obscure TV show calledMy Craze Love, then earned a small role in 2018’sLife Itself,a romance movie about a couple strongly bonded by the birth of their first child. The film counted on a star-studded cast that included actors such as Oscar Isaac, Olivia Wilde, and Antonio Banderas. Apollonio went on to play Tim David inFBI, Joe inBetty, Eric inHacks, and Connor inYoung Sheldon.
Dean McDermott as Coach Dutch
Coach Dutch is played byDean McDermottinMy Animal. The actor is one of the veterans in the film’s cast, active in the entertainment industry ever since the late-80s. McDermott starred in over 30 shows throughout his career, and he’s most commonly known for playing Det. Vic Bruno inTracker,Alan Coyle in1-800 Missing,Dan Olenski inSlasher, and Det. Barry Hamm inPretty Hard Cases.On the big screen, McDermott starred in a variety of movies such asOpen Range, Touch of Pink, My Fake Boyfriend, andThe Last Sharknado: It’s About Time.
