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Drama thriller

Dogman (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Dogman (2019) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
84%
worldwide gross
$5.1M
award nomination
1
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Dogman (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 43m (103 min)
Director
Matteo Garrone
Genres
Drama , Thriller , Crime
Original language
Italian
Budget
$4M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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
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Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in Dogman

· 6 more
Ratings

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).

78 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$5.1M

1.3× its budget

US & Canada
$148.2K
International
$4.9M
Budget
$4M
US & Canada 3% Rest of the world 97%
Awards

Dogman Awards & Nominations

Dogman earned 1 award nomination, including Best Film Not in the English Language at the BAFTA 2019.

1 nomination1 ceremony

  • British Academy Film Awards logo
    BAFTA 2019 1 nomination
    • Nominated Best Film Not in the English Language
Videos

Dogman Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Dogman.

Dogman - Official Trailer
Quiz

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

  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 is Marcello's profession in the film?

Details

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
  • Dogmens
  • 人心狗吠

Seen Dogman?

FAQ

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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