Hidden sci-fi gift fills mutant-sized X-Men void

With no definitive date for Disney’s plans for the official return of the X-Men and popularity at peak levels following the success of Deadpool and Wolverine, Hulu has a temporary solution now streaming.

The 2023 French film The Animal Kingdom focuses on an epidemic that sees a portion of the human population mutate into dangerous animals.

For a $15 million production budget, the effects are quite impressive. It’s not always perfect, but the animal makeup really sells the goods.

It would be easy for a half-man, half bird, or a young girl scaled like a chameleon to appear laughably bad, but that isn’t the case at all.

The body language and vocal acuity of the actors is especially remarkable. The aforementioned Birdman (played by Tom Mercier) is shockingly effective at portraying such a creature.

Without giving much plot away, this film operates successfully on many layers - a coming-of-age story, a gripping family drama, a racially-charged thriller.

It’s fantastic work that could still catch the eyes of Hollywood execs for an English-language remake.

No need to wait that long though if you can tolerate subtiiles.