{"id":53628,"date":"2026-06-24T00:52:35","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T04:52:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/?p=53628"},"modified":"2026-06-24T00:52:35","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T04:52:35","slug":"animals-in-war-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/2026\/06\/24\/animals-in-war-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Animals In War (2025)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nThe symbiotic relationship between animals and mankind gets the spotlight in this Ukrainian anthology that showcases the horrors of enduring a Russian invasion.<\/div>\n

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When I sat down to watch Animals In War I already knew that I was in for a rough ride. I’m a co-founder of an animal focused non-profit organization and, outside of that, I often order my nerdy tech from manufacturers and designers that are in Ukraine. What I didn’t expect to see was a series of thought provoking, heart warming, and often soul shattering, stories worthy of their own individual reviews. With each tale being done by a different Ukrainian film making team, the hour and thirty eight minute run time manages to feel like a long day spent in the nation that’s still under siege at the time of writing this. Sitting somewhere between dramatization and reenactment, these short films will make you worry about the cows, rabbits, and dogs as much as you worry about the children, elderly, and defenseless. In war, all of the innocent are one entity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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The film opens up with a segment starring Sean Penn, a vocal supporter of the Ukrainian people ever since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022. This is Penn’s second attempt to put outside eyes on the events that transpire there since he released his documentary, Superpower, back in 2023. Penn plays a sound designer working with a Ukrainian activist to document the eagles in the area. Their work is cut short in a slow burn first tale that sets the eerie tone for the rest of the stories to come. Penn’s brief performance kicks off the narrative as he portrays a man who’s blindsided by the initial Russian presence within Ukraine. Don’t expect to see him for long though, as his role is short, prominent, and effective. The same can be said about the many Ukrainian actors who played their parts in the subsequent stories that followed. Whether it’s a child trying to escape gunfire with a cow, a young man searching for a lost cat instead of fleeing the nation, or a traumatized woman who’s seeking medical attention for something she perceives to be her son… Everyone delivers a performance that grounds you in the realities of war. We don’t see soldiers shooting soldiers, but we spend plenty of time getting to know the everyday people, and their animal companions, as they try their best to simply survive. The acting on display here is worthy of attention.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\u00a0No film is taken seriously unless it’s well-rounded. That means the premise and acting can only do so much lifting, which is why sound design is incredibly important. Animals In War spared no detail in this aspect, with every single sound being deliberately utilized. Whether it’s rustling grass, distant explosions, or the somber silence of an overworked and worn out hospital, the sound design is beautifully executed and as much of the stories driving force as the actors and animals within them. The soundtrack, brought to us by Imagine Dragons, is also carefully manufactured to fit the wide range of human emotion that we explore during our viewing. While the film spends a lot of time inappropriate silence, when there’s sound it’s there to jar you, instill empathy, or lull you into a false sense of security. Overall, the audio work done for Animals In War is a shining example of audio done right. You aren’t hit with constant music, nor are you going to find yourself overwhelmed by unnecessarily repetitive sound samples. Everything is carefully placed to incite the right human emotion at just the right time. This is something I wish more film makers put care into.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Animals In War is an official selection of the Tribeca Festival, where it premiered in 2025. The film wraps up with a QR code for The Companions Project Fundraiser, which helps children and veterans receive therapy animals. It also drives a nail right through the heart as it reminds you about the death toll within the animal kingdom caused by Russia’s ongoing invasion. An estimated six million domestic animals, 3.5 million birds, and over 50 thousand dolphins from the Black Sea have been wiped out during the onslaught. Meanwhile, over 80 species within the country face extinction and 20have seemingly been wiped out forever. The film, and its stories, give the audience a front seat view of the unfathomable calamity within Ukraine. If you don’t shed at least one tear while watching this anthology, I would be surprised. Animals In War is a grounded, honest, horrifying, and often wholesome, look at a world none of us want to live in. When it’s all said and done, the film is a powerful look at something that’s still happening, being shown to a world it’s calling out to for help.<\/p>\n

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Inquiring minds can find Animals In War, originally titled \u0412\u0456\u0439\u043d\u0430\u043e\u0447\u0438\u043c\u0430 \u0442\u0432\u0430\u0440\u0438\u043d, streamingon Apple+.<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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