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Drama thriller

Dogs (2021): Cast & Ratings

Dogs (2021) movie poster

Dogs is a 2021 drama thriller directed by Bogdan Mirica, starring Dragos Bucur as Roman, Vlad Ivanov and Emilian Oprea. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and was made on a reported $1 million budget. Critics gave it 67% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10.

IMDb rating
7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
67%
Echo Score
85
Metascore
55
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Dogs (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Director
Bogdan Mirica
Genres
Drama , Thriller
Original language
Romanian
Studio
AmaFilms
Budget
$1M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Dogs About?

The premise of Dogs without spoilers.

Roman inherits a large plot of land after his grandfather’s passing, only to find it entangled in a web of dark secrets and dangerous claims. He soon discovers the land is coveted by a ruthless gang, led by Samir, who are holding clandestine meetings and will use any means necessary to seize control. When a friend mysteriously disappears, Roman faces a perilous choice: abandon the property and save himself, or confront the formidable squatters and fight for what’s rightfully his.

Dogs Themes & Keywords

· 25 tags
  • romanian new wave
  • land
  • severed foot
  • rural
  • inheritance
  • shot to death
  • shot in the chest
  • murder
  • fight
  • bare chested male
  • barbecue
  • fire
+13 more
  • animal killing
  • hunting
  • horse
  • long take
  • shoe
  • police
  • barbed wire
  • fence
  • night
  • dog barks
  • dog
  • pond
  • one word title
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Cast & crew

Dogs Cast & Characters

Dragos Bucur leads the cast as Roman, with Vlad Ivanov as Samir and Emilian Oprea as Sebi Voicu. Directed by Bogdan Mirica; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Dogs

· 6 more
Ratings

Dogs Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Dogs 67% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 85/100, strongest in character & emotion (92) and weakest in story & flow (72).

85 /100

Dogs Echo Score Breakdown

Dogs presents a visually striking debut that showcases Bogdan Mirica’s confident direction and atmospheric flair, while its narrative ambition yields mixed results. Critics highlight the film’s strong cinematography and compelling performances, yet note a reliance on generic thriller conventions that dilute narrative tension. User responses underscore the impactful sound design and memorable tone, often recommending repeat viewings. The aggregate sentiment leans toward a solid, though imperfect, piece of Romanian cinema, resulting in a high overall rating.

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 art and craft, the film excels through assured direction and striking visual composition. Critics commend Mirica’s ability to frame the Romanian landscape with widescreen panache, and users highlight brilliant cinematography and inventive camera work. Some reviewers find the tone occasionally generic, but the predominant view is that the visual and editorial choices elevate the work. The consensus places artistic execution firmly in the high‑range.

  • Character & Emotion 92

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances receive unanimous praise. Reviewers point to nuanced portrayals by Gheorghe Visu and Vlad Ivanov, describing them as compelling and emotionally resonant. Users echo this sentiment, labeling the acting outstanding and the character development astonishing despite limited dialogue. A few critics note a weaker younger lead, yet the overall assessment underscores powerful, memorable performances that dominate the film’s impact.

  • Story & Flow 72

    The story and flow component draws mixed reactions. Critics describe the plot as adhering to familiar slow‑burn thriller beats and sometimes lacking originality, while still recognizing its allegorical layers. Users acknowledge a simple narrative but appreciate its thematic focus on control and revenge, calling the script engaging and surprisingly layered. The balance of praise for thematic ambition against criticism of conventional pacing yields a moderate to high score.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    Sensory experience stands out as a major strength. Both critics and users highlight the film’s atmospheric sound design, effective soundtrack, and vivid visual style. Praise centers on the immersive soundscape, striking color palette, and meticulous attention to auditory detail, which together create a gripping ambience. Minor critiques are rare, resulting in a consistently high evaluation of the sensory elements.

  • Rewatch Factor 84

    Rewatch factor is regarded positively. Critics note the film’s lingering impression and its capacity to reward attentive viewing, while users explicitly state a desire to view the film again and recommend it enthusiastically. The combination of memorable visuals, strong performances, and thematic depth contributes to lasting appeal, supporting a high, though slightly lower than the artistic scores, rewatch rating.

Videos

Dogs Trailers & Videos

The teaser of Dogs.

Seen Dogs?

FAQ

Dogs FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

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

How long is Dogs?

Dogs runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was Dogs released?

Dogs was released on September 10, 2021.

Who directed Dogs?

Dogs was directed by Bogdan Mirica.

Who is in the cast of Dogs?

Dogs stars Dragos Bucur as Roman, Vlad Ivanov as Samir and Emilian Oprea as Sebi Voicu, among 10 credited actors.

What was the budget of Dogs?

Dogs had a reported budget of $1 million.

How is Dogs rated?

Dogs has 7.0/10 on IMDb, 67% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic.

Does Dogs have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Dogs has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

What language is Dogs in?

The original language of Dogs is Romanian.

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