The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Taylor, Brandon. Filthy Animals. Riverhead Books, 2021.

Brandon Taylor's novel Filthy Animals is told from the third person point of view. Over the course of the novel, this third person narrator shifts behind each primary character's distinct lens. Some of the chapters in Filthy Animals are written in the present tense, while others are written in the past. The following summary employs the present tense.

In "Potluck," a few days after his release from the hospital, Lionel attends a potluck at one of his former classmate's apartments. At first, Lionel feels relieved to be around people. However, as the night goes on, he feels increasingly uncomfortable. Then he starts talking to a man named Charles. Charles is charming and attractive, but when he makes a flippant comment about suicide, Lionel gets upset, and closes himself in the bathroom.

Not long prior, Lionel attempted suicide. He was hospitalized for six months. A few months after his release he readmitted himself. His struggles with depression forced him to take medical leave from his graduate program. In the narrative present, therefore, Lionel remains emotionally unsteady.

Over the course of the night, Lionel alternates between conversations with Charles, and his girlfriend, Sophie. Lionel feels confused. He is attracted to Charles but does not understand his dynamic with Sophie. After the party, Charles follows Lionel home. They have sex, and spend the night together.

In "Little Beast," after Sylvia's breakup with Hammond, she moves in with the Martin family. She watches their two young children, and cooks for their neighbors. Over the course of one afternoon with the Martin children, Sylvia reflects on her life and identity. She begins to understand the little girl, wishing she could be as spirited and uninhibited.

In "Flesh," Charles shows up late to dance class. He compares himself to the other, younger dancers, knowing he will never be as good as he wants to be. He also worries that his dance career might not last. His bad knee especially compromises his ability to perform. Throughout the class, Charles' mind wanders to Lionel and Sophie. After class, he finds Sophie in the library. Because they are in an open relationship, they talk freely about Charles' night with Lionel.

In "As Though That Were Love," a few weeks after his mother's sudden death, Hartjes' continues meditating upon his unresolved familial relationships. He visits his friend, Simon, and tries talking about his feelings. Simon tries initiating sex, but Hartjes is disinterested in this dynamic. He mostly craves deep emotional connection with Simon. By the end of the night, he decides to sleep with Simon in order to give him something he wants.

In "Proctoring," Lionel proctors an exam. During the exam, he thinks about the potluck and his night with Charles. Then he receives a text from Sophie. They agree to meet up for coffee.

At the campus café, Lionel and Sophie talk. Lionel feels a desire to be close with and to confide in Sophie. However, when Charles joins them, Lionel's ease turns immediately to discomfort. He considers leaving. When he realizes both Charles and Sophie are touching him under the table, he decides to stay.

In "Filthy Animals," on the night of his birthday, Milton reluctantly agrees to go out with his friend Nolan. Milton wants to be with Nolan, but dislikes Nolan's friends. During their hangout in the woods, the boys fight and taunt one another. The evening grows violent. Milton feels confused and overwhelmed. He wishes he could leave his current life, and enter a new life in which he and Nolan could live and be together without fear or shame.

In "Mass," Alek is afraid a mass on his body might be cancerous. After an inconclusive appointment with the doctor, he longs to talk with his brothers. However, he hesitates to contact them, fearing their incapacity to provide him with the love and support he needs. Eventually he sends them a picture of the capitol building, and they text.

In "Anne of Cleves," when Marta's boyfriend, Peter, proposes, she ends their relationship. Not long afterwards, she starts dating a woman named Sigrid. The relationship feels honest, true, and relieving for Marta. However, because this is the first time she has been with a woman, she struggles to learn how to be with Sigrid. With time, she finds understanding and comfort in their dynamic.

In "Apartment," Lionel has dinner with Charles and Sophie at Sophie's apartment. Over the course of the evening, both Charles and Sophie press Lionel to engage with them emotionally and sexually. Lionel feels confused and trapped. He does not know how to articulate his feelings, or his desires. Bored by and irritated with Lionel's perpetual avoidance maneuvers, Charles insists on driving him home. In the car, Lionel sees a mountain in the distance and thinks about his first love. He wishes he could share his memories with Charles, but is unsure he can trust him.

In "What Made Them Made You," Grace discovers that the doctors cannot operate on her tumor. Ever since her cancer diagnosis, Grace has lost her freedom and her sense of self. An evening with her mother and grandfather inspires her reflections on family, fear, and desire.

In "Meat," Lionel and Charles have sex at Lionel's apartment. They also talk about things they have not discussed before. Rather than bringing them closer, their conversations amplify their differences. Lionel is glad he did not trust Charles with more. At the end of the night, Lionel cuts Charles' hair. Afterwards, they burn the hair in the yard.