Dog Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A soldier and a dog who hate each other drive across the country, bond over their shared trauma, and probably break some laws along the way…basically, ‘Planes, Trains, and Automobiles’ but with more barking and fewer Steve Martin breakdowns.

🍿 Dog: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Reluctant Partnership

Jackson Briggs, a former Army Ranger struggling with a brain injury, is offered a chance to get back into service. His mission: to transport Lulu, a Belgian Malinois combat dog, to her handler’s funeral. Lulu, traumatized by war, is deemed too aggressive to be adopted and is scheduled to be euthanized after the service. Briggs reluctantly accepts the task, hoping it will secure his return to the Rangers.

The Road Trip Begins

Briggs and Lulu embark on a 1500-mile road trip down the Pacific Coast. Their journey is fraught with challenges. Lulu’s aggressive behavior and Briggs’ own internal struggles create constant conflict. From destroying his car to attacking strangers, Lulu tests Briggs’ patience at every turn. However, amidst the chaos, a fragile bond begins to form.

Unexpected Encounters

Along the way, Briggs and Lulu encounter a variety of eccentric characters. They meet cannabis farmers who offer unconventional therapy for Lulu’s trauma. Briggs even attempts to con his way into a luxury hotel by pretending to be blind. These encounters, while often comedic, also reveal the deeper emotional wounds that both Briggs and Lulu carry.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jackson Briggs (Channing Tatum): A former Army Ranger struggling with a brain injury and PTSD who is tasked with transporting a military dog, Lulu, to her handler’s funeral.
• Lulu (Various Dogs): A traumatized Belgian Malinois military dog who forms an unlikely bond with Briggs during their road trip to her handler’s funeral.
• Captain Jones (Luke Forbes): Briggs’ former supervisor who offers him the task of transporting Lulu in exchange for a recommendation to rejoin the Rangers.
• Niki (Q’orianka Kilcher): Briggs’ estranged wife and mother of his daughter, representing his desire to reconnect with his family.
• Noah (Ethan Suplee): A former comrade and dog handler who offers Briggs advice and insight into connecting with Lulu.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jackson Briggs: “That’s MY unicorn!” – Briggs exclaims this in a playful, possessive manner during an unexpected and tense situation.
• Jackson Briggs: “You’re a demon!” – Briggs yells this out of frustration at Lulu when she is causing havoc in the car.
• Jackson Briggs: “Thanks for saving my life.” – Briggs says this to Lulu at the end of the movie, acknowledging the emotional healing they provided each other.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $61,778,069
• Worldwide Gross: $84,550,282

💥 Dog Reviews

Personal Review

I went into ‘Dog’ expecting a lighthearted comedy, but it surprised me with its emotional depth. The scenes where Briggs and Lulu start to understand each other really got to me. It’s a feel-good movie that also tackles serious themes like PTSD and loss. Definitely bring tissues!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of road trip movies”
  • “Dog lovers”
  • “Those interested in stories about veterans and PTSD”
  • “Channing Tatum fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Some mature themes related to PTSD and trauma”
  • “Brief scenes of drug use”
  • “Dog aggression”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “‘Dog’ delivers a surprisingly poignant and heartwarming road trip story, elevated by Channing Tatum’s committed performance and genuine chemistry with his canine co-stars. It’s a simple story, but executed with care and emotional depth.
• IMDB: “I liked Channing Tatum here because he was able to express those funny and serious tones with his interactions coming mainly between himself and the dog, Lulu. If you care about dogs finding their place in one’s life and vice-versa, then I would definitely recommend giving this one a try.
• Kids First!: “Dog is a thought-provoking film about an important subject. Parents need to be aware that this film has some mature elements involving language, drugs and sexual material. Younger audiences may also be frightened by some of the dog’s aggressive behavior.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved the unexpectedly touching moments between Channing Tatum and the dogs.: The film’s ability to balance humor with emotional depth resonated strongly with audiences.

The well trained dog acting was mentioned in a number of reviews.: Viewers were touched by the moving ending.

Overall Consensus: A heartwarming and surprisingly deep road trip story that explores themes of trauma, healing, and the bond between humans and animals. While marketed as a comedy, it offers a good balance of humor and emotional depth that resonates with viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Channing Tatum co-directed the film with Reid Carolin, marking their directorial debut.”
• “To prepare for their roles, Channing Tatum and the trainers spent a significant amount of time bonding with the dogs who played Lulu.”
• “Three of the dog trainers formed such a strong connection with their canine co-stars that they adopted them after filming wrapped.”

🖥️ How to Watch Dog?

Dog is available to rent or buy on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Dog, you might like these similar films:

• Turner & Hooch (1989): Features a mismatched pairing of a man and a dog who learn to work together, balancing comedy with heartwarming moments.
• K-9 (1989): A cop teams up with a police dog to fight crime, showcasing a unique partnership and plenty of action and humor.
• Megan Leavey (2017): Based on a true story, it highlights the bond between a female Marine and her military combat dog in a war setting.
• A Man Called Otto (2022): Shares themes of overcoming grief and finding unexpected companionship, focusing on character growth and emotional connection.

🛒 Dog Related Products

• Belgian Malinois Dog Breed T-Shirt: Show your love for Belgian Malinois dogs with this comfortable and stylish t-shirt. Features a high-quality print of the breed. Support Belgian Malinois awareness.
• Dog Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the official ‘Dog’ movie poster.
• Dog Tag Keychain – Military Inspired: Engraved dog tag keychain is a great way to show off your appreciation for military dogs. A personalized dog tag keychain to remember ‘Dog’ the movie.
• The Forever Dog: A New Science Blueprint for Raising Happy, Healthy Canine Companions: Learn how to keep your canine companion happy and healthy for longer. This book is your guide to improving your dog’s healthspan. This is the ultimate guide to extending your dog’s life, one bowl at a time.

🎧 Soundtrack

Dog features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “How Lucky” – performed by Kurt Vile featuring John Prine
• “Holy Drops” – performed by Drugdealer feat. Dougie Poole
• “A Satisfied Mind” – performed by Johnny Cash

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Pip | A Short Animated Film by Dogs Inc

Oh my gosh, you HAVE to see this! It’s a super cute animated short about a dog trying to become a guide dog. It’s impossible not to root for her!

The dog wouldn’t let her sit next to him!#shorts #viralvideo #shorts

You won’t believe what this dog does! I laughed so hard when I saw it – these silly actions are truly surprising.

Stubby is our hero.#foryou #shortvideo #film

I had no idea Stubby was such a hero. This is really inspiring, and I guarantee it will give you goosebumps!

✨ Rate