Dogman (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Dogman is a 2019 drama thriller directed by Matteo Garrone, starring Marcello Fonte as Marcello, Edoardo Pesce and Nunzia Schiano. It runs 1 hour 43 minutes and earned $5.1 million worldwide on a $4 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Film Not in the English Language at the BAFTA 2019. Critics gave it 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 43m (103 min)
- Director
- Matteo Garrone
- Original language
-
Italian
- Studio
- Magnolia Pictures
- Budget
- $4M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Dogman About?
The premise of Dogman without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
In a desolate coastal town, Marcello lives a solitary and subdued life, attempting to maintain order among stray dogs. His peaceful existence is challenged by Simoncino, a violent and manipulative man who exploits the vulnerable residents. As Simoncino’s reign of terror escalates, Marcello is drawn into a cycle of abuse and revenge, ultimately revealing a disturbing reflection of society's brutality and the consequences of unchecked aggression.
Dogman Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- prison
- violence
- dog
- robbery
- humiliation
- drugs
- drug
- cocaine
- drug use
- theft
- revenge
- dog cage
+38 more Show fewer
- father daughter relationship
- abuse
- b word
- fear
- sea
- long take
- merry go round
- dog cleaning
- aggressive dog
- title appears in writing
- playing soccer
- police custody
- motorcycle
- dead body
- italy
- strip club
- abusive friend
- 2010s
- rome italy
- suburb
- small business owner
- coastal
- bully
- single parent
- burglary
- pariah
- ostracized
- taking advantage of someone
- scuba diving
- terrorizing the neighborhood
- police interrogation
- neighborhood bully
- prison sentence
- addiction
- football field
- dog grooming contest
- female nudity
- woman wears a g string
Dogman Cast & Characters
Marcello Fonte leads the cast as Marcello, with Edoardo Pesce as Simoncino and Nunzia Schiano as Madre Simoncino. Directed by Matteo Garrone; 10 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Matteo Garrone
-
Marcello Fonte as Marcello - Edoardo Pesce as Simoncino
- Nunzia Schiano as Madre Simoncino
-
Alida Baldari Calabria as Alida
Also Starring in Dogman
· 6 more- Laura Pizzirani Madre Alida
- Aniello Arena Ispettore Polizia
- Francesco Acquaroli Proprietario Videolottery
- Gianluca Gobbi Proprietario Ristorante
- Adamo Dionisi Franco
- Giancarlo Porcacchia Gasparone
Dogman Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Dogman 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in art & craft (88) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).
Dogman Echo Score Breakdown
In Dogman, the visual composition and lead performances stand out, though the narrative occasionally falters in cohesion. The film’s meticulous framing and evocative color schemes highlight a stark urban milieu, while Marcello Fonte’s portrayal anchors the emotional core with nuanced shifts. However, some reviewers note a sense of narrative overstretch and predictability in the final act. Overall, Dogman emerges as a compelling exercise in mood and character study, offering lingering impressions despite a moderately uneven plot trajectory.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 88
In terms of direction and cinematography, Dogman excels with carefully composed shots and a consistently evocative visual palette. The film’s production design conveys a palpable sense of decay, while measured editing sustains tension. Despite occasional moments of deliberate pacing, the overall craftsmanship reinforces the story’s bleak poetry and contributes to a memorable aesthetic.
- Character & Emotion 87
When it comes to character depth and acting, Dogman is driven by a transformative lead performance that balances vulnerability and menace. Marcello Fonte’s nuanced portrayal elicits empathy, and Edoardo Pesce’s portrayal of the antagonist brings a chilling edge. The chemistry between characters deepens emotional stakes, resulting in a portrayal that lingers beyond the final scene.
- Story & Flow 70
In terms of plot coherence and pacing, Dogman presents a compelling premise that occasionally feels overstretched. Early suspense and symbolic parallels engage the viewer, yet some narrative turns lack the promised catharsis. Although the climax delivers striking violence, it leans toward predictability, resulting in mixed engagement over the film’s duration.
- Sensory Experience 80
In terms of sensory experience, Dogman composes a haunting soundscape that underscores urban desolation and emotional undercurrents. The score and ambient sound design amplify moments of tension, while the visual style marries stark realism with painterly compositions. Though the soundtrack is understated, the cohesive audiovisual approach enhances the film’s atmospheric resonance.
- Rewatch Factor 65
When considering rewatch value, Dogman’s visceral imagery and layered performances invite a second viewing for closer inspection. The film’s atmospheric density and thematic echoes may reward attentive audiences, though its heavy tone and uneven pacing could deter repeated engagement. Ultimately, its lasting appeal rests on appreciation of mood and character nuance rather than light entertainment.
-
IMDb 7.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 84% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 79%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 71 Metascore
User score 7.9
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 75% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.7 /5
138 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 5.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Dogman Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Dogman from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Marcello Marcello Fonte is a small, mild man living in a dilapidated beach settlement in Castel Volturno. He runs a dog grooming shop and splits his days between his work, his daughter, Alida Baldari Calabria, who lives with her mother after their separation, and time spent socializing with other locals. He supplements his meager income by selling cocaine to acquaintances.
Full summary
The whole story of Dogman, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Dogman Box Office & Budget
Dogman grossed $5.1 million worldwide on a $4 million budget, 1.3 times what it cost. $148,225 came from the US and Canada and $4.9 million (97%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$5.1M
1.3× its budget
- US & Canada
- $148.2K
- International
- $4.9M
- Budget
- $4M
Dogman Awards & Nominations
Dogman earned 1 award nomination, including Best Film Not in the English Language at the BAFTA 2019.
1 nomination1 ceremony
-
BAFTA 2019 1 nomination- Nominated Best Film Not in the English Language
Dogman Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Dogman.
How Well Do You Know Dogman?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is Marcello's profession in the film?
Dogman Also Known As
14 alternative titles, including “Догмэн” and “犬舍惊魂”.
- Also known as
-
- Догмэн
- 犬舍惊魂
- 도그맨
- 狗奴人生
- Dogman - Kutyák királya
- דוג-מן
- Доґмен
- Frizerul de câini
- Догман
- Кучкар, დოგმენი
- ドッグマン
- Šunininkas
+2 more Show fewer
- Dogmens
- 人心狗吠
Seen Dogman?
Movies Like Dogman
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Dogs, Dog Eat Dog and Dogboys.
Dogman FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Dogman, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Dogman?
Dogman runs 1 hour 43 minutes (103 minutes).
When was Dogman released?
Dogman was released on April 12, 2019.
Who directed Dogman?
Dogman was directed by Matteo Garrone.
More films by Matteo Garrone Who is in the cast of Dogman?
Dogman stars Marcello Fonte as Marcello, Edoardo Pesce as Simoncino and Nunzia Schiano as Madre Simoncino, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Dogman make at the box office?
Dogman grossed $5.1 million worldwide ($148,225 domestic, $4.9 million international) on a budget of $4 million.
How is Dogman rated?
Dogman has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 84% on Rotten Tomatoes, 71 on Metacritic and 75% on TMDB.
Was Dogman nominated for any awards?
Dogman received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.
Does Dogman have a post-credit scene?
No. Dogman has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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