The grim coming-of-age fairy tale “My Animal” is out on digital this weekend

Jae Matthews is not only the singer of the electronic music duo Boy Harsher, but she also seems to be very interested in the cinematographic arts with astonishing visuals and the intense use of colors, as displayed in her debut short film Alice (2012) and the 39 minutes music video she co-directed for her band, The Runner (2022), which was a co-production with Shudder. Now, she is debuting as the writer of a feature film with the horror and romance My Animal (2023).

The movie is a genre-bending supernatural love story centering on Heather, an outcast teenage goalie who falls for newcomer Jonny, an alluring but tormented figure skater. As their relationship deepens, Heather’s growing desires clash with her darkest secret, forcing her to control the animal within.

Jacqueline Castel, who was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival with her neon-lit supernatural horror short film The Puppet Man (2016), starring John Carpenter, is debuting as the director of a feature film with My Animal (2023). Undoubtedly, the right partner in terms of visual and conceptual premises for Jae Matthews.

Bobbi Salvör Menuez (Nocturnal Animals (2016)) and Amandla Stenberg (Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)) lead the main cast which also includes Heidi von Palleske, Stephen McHattie, Cory Lipman, Joe Apollonio, Gabriel Campoverde, and David R Carter.

My Animal (2023) is Rated R for language throughout, sexual content, nudity, some drug use, and violence. The movie is produced by Band With Pictures and Good Movies, and distributed by Paramount Movies. After its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2023, it has also been part of the Overlook Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, Outfest LA Film Festival, Fantasia International Film Festival, and will also be part of Motel X in Portugal, and Cinefest, Timmins, and Vancouver International Film Festival in Canada this September.

My Animal (2023) had a limited theatrical release in the United States on September 8, 2023, and is scheduled to be available for digital purchase on September 15, 2023.

Watch the official trailer for My Animal (2023).