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Horror thriller

Like Dogs (2021): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Like Dogs (2021) movie poster

Like Dogs is a 2021 horror thriller directed by Randy Van Dyke, starring Annabel Barrett as Lisa, Alan Maxson and Ryan Q. Tran. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes. Its Echo Score is 32/100.

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Like Dogs (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 34m (94 min)
Director
Randy Van Dyke
Genres
Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Like Dogs About?

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

Every dog has its day. A behavioral experiment treating humans like animals goes awry when a University Student manipulates the research with deadly results.

Like Dogs Themes & Keywords

· 27 tags
  • experiment
  • abduction
  • chained
  • cliffhanger ending
  • shivering
  • dehumanization
  • head bashed in
  • canned food
  • cattle prod
  • quarantine
  • choke collar
  • escape plan
+15 more
  • safeword
  • prison exercise yard
  • sedation
  • hallucination
  • tables turned
  • surveillance camera
  • power outage
  • adrenaline
  • behavioural experiment
  • university student
  • research manipulation
  • incarceration
  • imprisoned woman
  • imprisoned man
  • woman sits on a toilet
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Cast & crew

Like Dogs Cast & Characters

Annabel Barrett leads the cast as Lisa, with Alan Maxson as Hallucination Kennel Master and Ryan Q. Tran as George / Kennel Master. Directed by Randy Van Dyke; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Like Dogs

· 6 more
Ratings

Like Dogs Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 32/100, strongest in story & flow (45) and weakest in character & emotion (20).

32 /100

Like Dogs Echo Score Breakdown

Like Dogs delivers a sporadic viewing experience that is hampered by uneven execution across its components. Critics note moments of visceral thrills, yet the majority of audience feedback points to weak character work, inconsistent pacing, and evident low‑budget constraints that detract from immersion. While a few reviewers appreciate its unconventional twists and brief bursts of tension, the film generally fails to sustain interest beyond a single watch. Consequently, the overall impression is markedly negative.

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

  • Art & Craft 35

    Regarding art and craft, the film exhibits clear signs of limited resources, with rudimentary set pieces and simplistic lighting that lower visual credibility. Some viewers note brief sections where direction maintains tension and the cinematography captures the gritty tone effectively. However, the prevalence of cheap props and uneven editing prevents a cohesive aesthetic, resulting in a predominantly negative assessment of its technical execution.

  • Character & Emotion 20

    When evaluating character and emotion, the consensus highlights weak performances and shallow character development that hinder audience connection. Multiple reviewers specifically criticize the lead’s acting as unconvincing and at times comically poor. Although a few comments mention occasional chemistry among the ensemble, the overall lack of depth and inconsistent portrayals lead to a strongly negative perception of the film’s character work.

  • Story & Flow 45

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative starts with an intriguing premise but quickly becomes overburdened by excessive twists and uneven pacing. Reviewers appreciate the initial tension and occasional originality, yet many describe the plot’s later sections as confusing and the climax as unsatisfying. This blend of early promise and subsequent decline results in a mixed to negative overall judgment of the storyline.

  • Sensory Experience 40

    The sensory experience is marked by a low‑budget soundscape and visual style that often feels dated, with flat set pieces and minimalistic audio design. Some audience members note the effective use of gore and occasional atmospheric moments that enhance tension. Nevertheless, the overall lack of polished sound design and cohesive visual tone leads to a generally unfavorable impression of the film’s sensory qualities.

  • Rewatch Factor 35

    The rewatch factor is low, as many viewers describe the film as a one‑time curiosity that quickly loses its appeal after the initial novelty wears off. While a handful of users enjoy the bizarre twists enough to recommend group viewings, the prevalent opinion is that the uneven plot and poor performances diminish any incentive for repeat watching. Consequently, its lasting appeal is limited.

Plot

Like Dogs Plot Summary

What happens in Like Dogs from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Lisa is abducted off the street by two men in a white van and hauled to a stark facility where she is strapped to a gurney, drugged, and left in a small concrete space fitted with a dog bed, an animal water bottle, and a neck chain. The room is mercilessly controlled, and a figure known as the Hallucination Kennel Master, played by [Alan Maxson], oversees the operation. The captive is fed chipped beef from a dog bowl, and the environment immediately communicates that she is treated as less than human—an unsettling setup that blurs the line between confinement and experiment.

Full summary

The whole story of Like Dogs, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Like Dogs Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Like Dogs.

Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Like 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

Who is the main female protagonist who is abducted at the beginning of the film?

Details

Like Dogs Also Known As

3 alternative titles, including “개목걸이 0” and “人模狗样”.

Also known as
  • 개목걸이 0
  • 人模狗样
  • Jak Psy

Seen Like Dogs?

FAQ

Like Dogs FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

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

How long is Like Dogs?

Like Dogs runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).

When was Like Dogs released?

Like Dogs was released on October 1, 2021.

Who directed Like Dogs?

Like Dogs was directed by Randy Van Dyke.

Who is in the cast of Like Dogs?

Like Dogs stars Annabel Barrett as Lisa, Alan Maxson as Hallucination Kennel Master and Ryan Q. Tran as George / Kennel Master, among 10 credited actors.

Does Like Dogs have a post-credit scene?

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

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