🎥 Reel Review: The Dogs

Something’s off the moment they arrive.

The Dogs follow Cameron and his mother as they flee one danger and walk straight into another—this time on a rural property where the silence howls back. The opening is strong: eerie mood, empty spaces, and something feral creeping in. Director Valerie Buhagiar builds dread the old-fashioned way—no jump scares, just tension that creeps into the corners.

Donovan Colan grounds the story with a quiet, internal performance. He’s vulnerable but never passive. Kathleen Munroe plays his mother with weight and weariness. But after a tight, moody setup, the film starts chasing itself. What felt focused becomes fragmented. The dogs loom, but the fear spreads thin. There are hints of trauma, survival, even something supernatural—but it doesn’t all lock-in. You’re left with atmosphere and strong acting, but the plot takes too many detours.

It’s well-shot, especially at night. The house feels like it’s watching. However, by the third act, the film leans on familiarity rather than completing what it started.

Mitten’s verdict: The Dog sets a chilling tone and sinks its teeth in early but doesn’t hold its grip. It’s a quiet thriller that whimpers when it should snarl. Rated: 5.5 out of 10.