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Crime drama

Beauty and the Dogs (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Beauty and the Dogs (2018) movie poster

Beauty and the Dogs is a 2018 crime drama directed by Kaouther Ben Hania and Khaled Walid Barsaoui, starring Ghanem Zrelli as Youssef, Noomen Hamda and Anissa Daoud. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $167,723 worldwide on a $160 million budget. Critics gave it 70% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
70%
worldwide gross
$167.7K
Echo Score
75
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Beauty and the Dogs (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Genres
Drama , Crime
Original language
Arabic
Studio
Cinéart
Budget
$160M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Beauty and the Dogs About?

The premise of Beauty and the Dogs without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Set in Tunisia, this film follows a young woman as she confronts a system of corruption and entrenched societal norms. After experiencing injustice, she embarks on a difficult journey to reclaim her dignity, facing relentless abuse and intimidation along the way. Her pursuit of justice becomes a harrowing test of her strength and resilience.

Beauty and the Dogs Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • beast
  • fairy tale
  • heroine
  • beast's heart
  • remake of oscar winner
  • live action remake
  • four word title
  • animal lover
  • castle
  • chauvinism
  • opposites attract
  • unconventional romance
+38 more
  • france
  • character name in title
  • female protagonist
  • strong female
  • strong female lead
  • love for animals
  • the beast character
  • animate object
  • beauty and the beast characters
  • beast in title
  • snow adventure
  • love
  • punishment
  • hunter
  • punched in the face
  • happy ending
  • love interest
  • angry mob
  • candle
  • bathtub
  • love triangle
  • narcissism
  • wardrobe
  • clock
  • candelabra
  • teapot
  • teacup
  • remake
  • paris france
  • anthropomorphism
  • reference to walt disney
  • title spoken by character
  • gay subtext
  • alternative lifestyle
  • gay man
  • lgbt
  • human animal relationship
  • gay
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Cast & crew

Beauty and the Dogs Cast & Characters

Ghanem Zrelli leads the cast as Youssef, with Noomen Hamda as Chedly and Anissa Daoud as Faiza. Directed by Kaouther Ben Hania and Khaled Walid Barsaoui; 8 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Beauty and the Dogs

· 4 more
From the directors

More from Kaouther Ben Hania and Khaled Walid Barsaoui

More films directed by Kaouther Ben Hania and Khaled Walid Barsaoui, best-rated first: Four Daughters, The Man Who Sold His Skin, The Voice of Hind Rajab and I And the Stupid Boy.

Ratings

Beauty and the Dogs Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Beauty and the Dogs 70% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

75 /100

Beauty and the Dogs Echo Score Breakdown

Beauty and the Dogs delivers a striking blend of formal daring and emotional immediacy tempered by narrative ambiguity. Its most pronounced strength lies in the immersive single-take structure, which reviewers note sustains an almost unbearable tension. While the film’s pacing and chapter divisions underscore the procedural momentum, some find the lack of resolution unsatisfying. The combined impact of visceral realism and unresolved threads leaves a lasting impression that is both compelling and occasionally unsettling.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s reliance on extended single takes and chapter-based editing creates a potent sense of urgency and immersion. Reviewers commend the rhythmic camera movements and coherent visual palette, even as some note that the chapter divisions sometimes feel arbitrary. Overall, the precise framing and choreography yield a bold stylistic statement with only minor structural drawbacks.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotion, the protagonist’s portrayal anchors the film with resolute intensity. Critics highlight the lead performance as nuanced and steadfast, conveying Mariam’s turmoil and resolve in raw detail. The emotional resonance is heightened by the unflinching depiction of vulnerability, resulting in a portrayal that feels authentic and deeply affecting.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative’s procedural structure delivers a steady drive but also invites frustration through its unresolved conclusion. Observers note the taut pacing during confrontational sequences, yet the segmented chapters and deliberate ambiguity can undermine narrative cohesion. Ultimately, the film balances engagement with a sense of incompletion that some find compelling while others deem unsatisfying.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    When it comes to the sensory experience, the film’s visual intensity and restrained soundscape work in concert to deepen immersion. Critics praise the balanced interplay of natural sound and minimalist score, which underscores the unbroken takes without distraction. The cohesive visual palette and measured sound design establish a tense atmosphere, enhancing the viewer’s engagement throughout.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film leaves a memorable but challenging impression that may limit repeated viewings. Reviewers acknowledge the enduring emotional weight and the formal audacity that linger long after the first experience. However, the harrowing subject matter and unresolved threads can deter casual re-engagement, making its lasting appeal intensity-driven rather than broadly replayable.

Plot

Beauty and the Dogs Plot Summary

What happens in Beauty and the Dogs from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Long ago, in a magnificent French kingdom, a self-centered Prince (Dan Stevens) lived lavishly in his castle, hosting extravagant parties for his fellow royals. One fateful night, an aging beggar woman (Agatha) approached the castle, seeking refuge from the biting cold. Offering a beautiful rose in exchange for warmth, she was met with ridicule by the Prince and his guests, who laughed at her haggard appearance as she warned him not to judge based on facade. When the Prince coldly dismissed her, she revealed herself to be a beautiful Enchantress. Despite his pleas for forgiveness, it was too late; the Enchantress saw the emptiness in his heart and, as retribution, transformed him into a hideous Beast.

Full summary

The whole story of Beauty and the Dogs, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Beauty and the Dogs Box Office & Budget

Beauty and the Dogs grossed $167,723 worldwide on a $160 million budget. $8,915 came from the US and Canada and $158,808 (95%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$167.7K

US & Canada
$8.9K
International
$158.8K
Budget
$160M
US & Canada 5% Rest of the world 95%
Videos

Beauty and the Dogs Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Beauty and the Dogs.

Beauty and the Dogs - Official U.S. Trailer - Oscilloscope Laboratories
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Beauty and the Dogs?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What curse does the enchantress place on Prince Adam?

Details

Beauty and the Dogs Also Known As

15 alternative titles, including “뷰티 앤 더 독스” and “Skönheten och odjuren”.

Also known as
  • 뷰티 앤 더 독스
  • Skönheten och odjuren
  • Aala kaf ifrit
  • La belle et la meute
  • الجميلة والكلاب
  • Piękna i bestie
  • 미녀와 개자식들
  • La bella e le bestie
  • A Bela e os Cães
  • Красавица и псы
  • Красавицата и кучетата
  • Éjszaka Tunéziában
+3 more
  • 美女与猎犬
  • Frumoasa și câinii
  • زیبا و سگ‌ها

Seen Beauty and the Dogs?

FAQ

Beauty and the Dogs FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Beauty and the Dogs, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Beauty and the Dogs?

Beauty and the Dogs runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

When was Beauty and the Dogs released?

Beauty and the Dogs was released on March 23, 2018.

Who directed Beauty and the Dogs?

Beauty and the Dogs was directed by Kaouther Ben Hania and Khaled Walid Barsaoui.

More films by Kaouther Ben Hania

Who is in the cast of Beauty and the Dogs?

Beauty and the Dogs stars Ghanem Zrelli as Youssef, Noomen Hamda as Chedly and Anissa Daoud as Faiza, among 8 credited actors.

How much did Beauty and the Dogs make at the box office?

Beauty and the Dogs grossed $167,723 worldwide ($8,915 domestic, $158,808 international) on a budget of $160 million.

How is Beauty and the Dogs rated?

Beauty and the Dogs has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 70% on Rotten Tomatoes, 65 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.

Does Beauty and the Dogs have a post-credit scene?

No. Beauty and the Dogs has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Beauty and the Dogs in?

The original language of Beauty and the Dogs is Arabic.

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