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Action sci-fi film

Mondocane (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Mondocane (2022) movie poster

Mondocane is a 2022 action sci-fi film directed by Alessandro Celli, starring Dennis Protopapa as Mondocane, Federica Torchetti and Barbara Ronchi. It runs 1 hour 50 minutes and earned $130,762 worldwide on a $4.9 million budget. Critics gave it 67% on Rotten Tomatoes and 45 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.

IMDb rating
6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
67%
worldwide gross
$130.8K
Echo Score
74
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Mondocane (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 50m (110 min)
Director
Alessandro Celli
Genres
Action , Sci-Fi
Original language
Italian
Budget
$4.9M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Mondocane About?

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

In a decaying Italian coastal town, Pietro and Cristian seek a way out of their desperate circumstances. Offered a chance for a better life by a compelling gang leader, their friendship is strained as Cristian's unpredictable nature and talent for disruption lead him to rise within the group. Their bond is tested as they fight for survival against a backdrop of urban decay and escalating conflict.

Mondocane Themes & Keywords

· 10 tags
  • friendship
  • italy
  • dystopia
  • future
  • industrial town
  • gang
  • southern italy
  • taranto italy
  • urban decay
  • boy girl relationship
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Cast & crew

Mondocane Cast & Characters

Dennis Protopapa leads the cast as Mondocane, with Federica Torchetti as Sanghe and Barbara Ronchi as Katia. Directed by Alessandro Celli; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Mondocane

· 6 more
From the director

More from Alessandro Celli

One more film directed by Alessandro Celli: Scrambled.

Full filmography
Ratings

Mondocane Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Mondocane 67% on Rotten Tomatoes and 45 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 74/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (52).

74 /100

Mondocane Echo Score Breakdown

Mondocane excels in its visual craftsmanship, offering a strikingly textured world that showcases strong direction, cinematography, and production design. However, the narrative remains thin, with limited exposition and predictable beats that hinder deeper engagement. Performances are competent, particularly the antagonist, yet character depth is uneven. The sensory experience reinforces the setting, but the film’s replay value is modest, as the story’s shortcomings outweigh its stylistic merits.

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

  • Art & Craft 90

    In terms of direction and visual execution, Mondocane delivers a polished aesthetic built on vivid cinematography and detailed production design. Critics and viewers alike note the striking color palette and meticulous camera work that enrich the dystopian backdrop. While the editing maintains a tight rhythm, the overall craftsmanship remains the film's most consistently praised element, creating a solid artistic foundation.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When evaluating performances, the cast provides sturdy portrayals, with the antagonist receiving particular commendation for nuance. Supporting actors convey a believable camaraderie that sustains audience interest. Nonetheless, critics point to a lack of emotional depth in the central relationship, and some viewers describe character arcs as archetypal rather than fully realized, resulting in a mixed but generally positive assessment.

  • Story & Flow 52

    The plot of Mondocane suffers from limited exposition and a reliance on familiar post‑apocalyptic tropes, leading many reviewers to label it predictable and underdeveloped. Narrative gaps leave the societal context ambiguous, and the climax is described as frustrating by several critics. A few positive notes highlight occasional engaging moments, yet overall the story’s coherence and originality are viewed as shortcomings.

  • Sensory Experience 84

    Sensory design stands out through a cohesive visual style that blends a muted, yellow‑toned palette with striking set pieces. Sound design, while not heavily discussed, complements the bleak atmosphere, reinforcing the film’s tonal consistency. Both critics and users commend the arresting imagery and effective world‑building, which together elevate the viewing experience despite narrative flaws.

  • Rewatch Factor 66

    Rewatch potential is moderate; while the film’s visual flair and occasional strong scenes invite a second look, its predictable plot and unresolved threads diminish lasting appeal. Some viewers appreciate the ending’s emotional impact, yet the overall lack of narrative innovation and pacing issues suggest limited incentive for repeated viewings, resulting in an average replay value.

Plot

Mondocane Plot Summary

What happens in Mondocane from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

On the outskirts of a bustling favela, Pietro and Cristian embark on a dangerous journey that begins with a simple act of defiance. While fishing by the shore, they retrieve a crucifix from the ocean, and during this moment, Cristian experiences a seizure, prompting Federica Torchetti’s character, Sanghe slug, to come to his aid. Pietro reveals that they have been tasked by the Ants, a ruthless gang primarily composed of children, to set fire to a local pet store called Mondocane — a nickname meaning “Dog World.” Under cover of darkness, the boys carry out the arson together, marking the beginning of their immersion into the perilous world of gang violence.

Full summary

The whole story of Mondocane, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Mondocane Box Office & Budget

Mondocane grossed $130,762 worldwide on a $4.9 million budget. $4,927 came from the US and Canada and $125,835 (96%) from the rest of the world.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$130.8K

US & Canada
$4.9K
International
$125.8K
Budget
$4.9M
US & Canada 4% Rest of the world 96%
Videos

Mondocane Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Mondocane.

DOGWORLD (2021) - Science Fiction - HD Trailer - English Subtitles
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Mondocane?

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 do Pietro and Cristian initially fish out of the ocean?

Details

Mondocane Also Known As

12 alternative titles, including “Dogworld” and “Postapokalipsa”.

Also known as
  • Dogworld
  • Postapokalipsa
  • Dystopia
  • Mundo Cão
  • Опасный город
  • خراب‌شده
  • دنیای سگ‌ها
  • 爬狗世界
  • Небезпечне місто
  • Lost City: Das Gesetz der Straße
  • Mundo Canino
  • Pasji svijet

Seen Mondocane?

FAQ

Mondocane FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Mondocane?

Mondocane runs 1 hour 50 minutes (110 minutes).

When was Mondocane released?

Mondocane was released on May 20, 2022.

Who directed Mondocane?

Mondocane was directed by Alessandro Celli.

More films by Alessandro Celli

Who is in the cast of Mondocane?

Mondocane stars Dennis Protopapa as Mondocane, Federica Torchetti as Sanghe and Barbara Ronchi as Katia, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Mondocane make at the box office?

Mondocane grossed $130,762 worldwide ($4,927 domestic, $125,835 international) on a budget of $4.9 million.

How is Mondocane rated?

Mondocane has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 67% on Rotten Tomatoes, 45 on Metacritic and 63% on TMDB.

Does Mondocane have a post-credit scene?

No. Mondocane has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Mondocane in?

The original language of Mondocane is Italian.

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