The Stray (2017): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
The Stray is a 2017 family drama directed by Mitch Davis, starring Michael Cassidy as Mitch Davis, Scott Christopher and Sarah Lancaster. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes and earned $1.6 million worldwide. Critics gave it 44% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 32m (92 min)
- Director
- Mitch Davis
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Pure Flix Entertainment
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Stray About?
The premise of The Stray without spoilers.
A family facing hardship and on the verge of falling apart finds an unlikely source of hope when a stray dog named Pluto wanders into their lives. The dog's arrival brings unexpected joy and helps to heal the strained relationships between a neglectful father, a struggling mother, and their three children. Through Pluto’s presence, the family begins to reconnect, finding redemption and restoring a sense of hope for the future.
The Stray Themes & Keywords
· 41 tags- dog movie
- on the road
- road trip
- struck by lightning
- camping
- death of dog
- stray dog
- headphones
- crying baby
- traffic jam
- principal's office
- diet coke
+29 more Show fewer
- business meeting
- ear flick
- school bus
- bullying
- shoelaces tied together
- reference to howard hughes
- child wanders off
- reference to stephen crane
- full moon
- reference to sir mix a lot
- reference to george michael
- reference to cat stevens
- reference to david hasselhoff
- reference to pamela anderson
- reference to james l. brooks
- map
- prayer
- tent
- mouth to mouth
- bear
- snoring
- phone booth
- wound
- bare chested male
- digging a grave
- poem
- urination
- home movies shown during closing credits
- looking at oneself in a mirror
The Stray Cast & Characters
Michael Cassidy leads the cast as Mitch Davis, with Scott Christopher as Dave Smith and Sarah Lancaster as Michelle Davis. Directed by Mitch Davis; 14 actors are credited in all.
- Director Mitch Davis
-
Michael Cassidy as Mitch Davis - Scott Christopher as Dave Smith
- Sarah Lancaster as Michelle Davis
- Jacque Gray as Misti Smith
Also Starring in The Stray
· 10 more- Cory Dangerfield Rod
- Eliza de Azevedo Brown Rachel Davis
- Coral Chambers Ricky
- Parker Davis Pizza Judd
- Angella Joy
- Ethan Blackham Football Player
- Connor Corum Christian Davis
- Enoch Ellis Clark LaCouture
- Brennan Williams
- Kayson Dawson
The Stray Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Stray 44% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 58/100, strongest in sensory experience (80) and weakest in story & flow (45).
The Stray Echo Score Breakdown
The Stray presents a heartfelt centerpiece but struggles with uneven execution across key areas. While the film's genuine warmth and earnest focus on familial bonds earn it appreciation, criticisms arise regarding its predictable plot structure and heavy-handed tone shifts. Cinematography garners praise for its scenic presentation, but directorial choices and narrative coherence receive mixed reactions. Performances evoke an emotional response yet lack consistent depth. Overall, The Stray offers modest appeal as a family drama but fails to sustain deeper engagement.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 60
In terms of art and craft, the film delivers visually striking landscapes but exhibits uneven directorial choices. Reviews note that the scenic backgrounds and production design consistently convey an authentic environment, yet pacing and editing decisions undermine narrative flow at times. While the cinematography offers memorable vistas, the mixed execution in direction and editing limits the aspect’s overall cohesion.
- Character & Emotion 55
In terms of character and emotion, performances elicit genuine warmth but lack consistent depth. Some observations highlight moments of sincere emotional resonance when the family interacts, yet the acting veers between earnest and uneven, yielding shallow character development. Although emotional beats connect with audiences, sporadic underdevelopment and tonal shifts prevent deeper attachment to the characters.
- Story & Flow 45
In terms of story and flow, the narrative offers heartwarming intentions but suffers from predictability and uneven pacing. While the true-life premise provides emotional stakes, critics point to generic plot devices and abrupt tone shifts that disrupt engagement. Consequently, the story's straightforward structure limits originality and sustained immersion.
- Sensory Experience 80
In terms of sensory experience, the film excels with a dynamic score and evocative visuals that enhance its emotional core. Observations highlight the soundtrack’s subtle themes and crisp sound design alongside vibrant cinematography that captures scenic exteriors. Despite occasional moments of overemphasis in drama, the sensory elements consistently enrich the viewing atmosphere.
- Rewatch Factor 65
In terms of rewatch factor, viewer reactions vary between appreciation for its warm tone and reluctance due to narrative simplicity. Some accounts describe repeated viewing enhancing appreciation of the film’s heartfelt moments, while others cite limited depth and predictable developments as deterrents. Overall, rewatch appeal remains moderate for niche audiences.
-
IMDb 5.4 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 44% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 69%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
TMDB 61% User score
See on TMDB -
Movie Insider 4.7 /5
See on Movie Insider
The Stray Box Office
The Stray grossed $1.6 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$1.6M
- US & Canada
- $1.6M
The Stray Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Stray.
Cars in The Stray
8 cars on screen, including the 1974 BMW 2002 and the 1981 Toyota Land Cruiser.
-
1974 BMW 2002 Important role -
1981 Toyota Land Cruiser Important role -
1995 BMW 7 E38 Minor role -
1967 Chevrolet C-Series Minor role
Seen The Stray?
Movies Like The Stray
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Strays, Fluke and A Dog's Way Home.
The Stray FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Stray, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Stray?
The Stray runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).
When was The Stray released?
The Stray was released on October 6, 2017.
Who directed The Stray?
The Stray was directed by Mitch Davis.
More films by Mitch Davis Who is in the cast of The Stray?
The Stray stars Michael Cassidy as Mitch Davis, Scott Christopher as Dave Smith and Sarah Lancaster as Michelle Davis, among 14 credited actors.
How much did The Stray make at the box office?
The Stray grossed $1.6 million worldwide.
How is The Stray rated?
The Stray has 5.4/10 on IMDb, 44% on Rotten Tomatoes, 61% on TMDB and 4.7/5 on Movie Insider.
Does The Stray have a post-credit scene?
No. The Stray has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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