Andy Serkis’s Modern-Times Animated Take on *Animal Farm* Hits UK Screens

After more than 15 years of development, Andy Serkis’s animated version of George Orwell’s *Animal Farm* opened in UK cinemas this week. The film reimagines the classic satirical novel for a contemporary, family-friendly audience while retaining the story’s anti-authoritarian core.

Radio Times

Serkis, who worked closely with the Orwell estate, said the project required deep consideration of how Orwell might view a modern retelling. He highlighted Orwell’s own anti-authoritarian stance—shaped by his experiences as a colonial police officer, a socialist, and a combatant in the Spanish Civil War—and positioned the film as a continuation of that theme. To make the narrative resonate today, the adaptation shifts the setting to the present, introduces a new young pig named Lucky, and incorporates toilet humour. Most notably, the ending diverges from the novel’s abrupt conclusion; instead of a conventional third act, the film ends on a bleak, unresolved note that underscores the idea that history repeats itself and offers no tidy resolution. Serkis framed this artistic decision as fitting for current times and something he believes Orwell would approve.

Radio Times

The star-studded voice cast includes Seth Rogen, Kieran Culkin, and *Stranger Things* star Gaten Matarazzo, among others. The animation is designed to be colourful and accessible for younger viewers, even as it tackles the novel’s heavier political commentary.

Radio Times

By blending modern humor with a stark, open-ended finale, the film aims to spark debate among young audiences about oppression and the cyclical nature of history. Its departure from a tidy Hollywood resolution may challenge expectations for family-oriented adaptations, positioning the movie as both an entertainment piece and a conversation starter about the relevance of Orwell’s warnings in today’s world.

Radio Times