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Family drama

The Stray (2017): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Stray (2017) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
5.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
44%
worldwide gross
$1.6M
Echo Score
58
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The Stray (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 32m (92 min)
Director
Mitch Davis
Genres
Drama , Family
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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
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Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in The Stray

· 10 more
Ratings

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).

58 /100

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.

Box office

The Stray Box Office

The Stray grossed $1.6 million worldwide.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.6M

US & Canada
$1.6M
Videos

The Stray Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Stray.

Trailer
Cars

Cars in The Stray

8 cars on screen, including the 1974 BMW 2002 and the 1981 Toyota Land Cruiser.

All 8 cars
  • 1974 BMW 2002 in The Stray 1974 BMW 2002 Important role
  • 1981 Toyota Land Cruiser in The Stray 1981 Toyota Land Cruiser Important role
  • 1995 BMW 7 E38 in The Stray 1995 BMW 7 E38 Minor role
  • 1967 Chevrolet C-Series in The Stray 1967 Chevrolet C-Series Minor role

Seen The Stray?

FAQ

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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