Dogman

Dogman

Dogman is a 2023 English-language French psychological action-thriller directed by Luc Besson and starring Caleb Landry Jones in a striking and unconventional lead role. The film premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival and later saw theatrical releases in Europe and the United States. It marks Besson’s return to auteur-driven cinema, blending intense drama, surreal imagery, and a bold character study into a story that is both disturbing and oddly tender.

The film follows Douglas “Doug” Munrow, a paraplegic man with an extraordinary connection to dogs. The narrative begins with Doug being arrested while driving a van full of dogs, covered in blood, and dressed in drag. He is brought in for psychological evaluation by a state psychiatrist named Evelyn. Through a series of extended flashbacks during their intense conversations, Doug recounts the haunting details of his traumatic past.

As a child, Doug endured horrifying abuse from his father and older brother. He was confined to a dog cage for days and even shot in the back, which left him paralyzed. However, during those moments of isolation, Doug formed a deep, almost spiritual bond with the family’s dogs. These animals became his protectors, companions, and, ultimately, his chosen family.

Now an adult, Doug runs a makeshift dog shelter in an abandoned building and lives a reclusive life, communicating almost exclusively with his pack of dogs. The film shifts between Doug’s present-day existence and his elaborate stories, including scenes where he trains the dogs to commit thefts and infiltrate homes. In his own twisted way, Doug sees these acts as justice against a society that failed him.

Doug also performs in drag at a local underground club, channeling icons like Edith Piaf and Marlene Dietrich. These scenes offer glimpses into his inner world—both a form of escape and a declaration of identity. Through these performances and his interactions with Evelyn, Doug emerges as a character who is both tragic and magnetic, a blend of vulnerability, defiance, and eccentric brilliance.

Caleb Landry Jones’s performance is the centerpiece of the film. He fully commits to portraying Doug as a damaged but deeply human soul. His portrayal balances physical fragility with emotional strength, capturing a character who has suffered immense cruelty but refuses to be defined by it. His relationships with the dogs are portrayed with genuine tenderness, creating a sense of loyalty and mutual care that underpins the entire story.

Stylistically, Dogman is a Luc Besson film through and through: dramatic lighting, stylized violence, and moments of surreal grandeur. Yet the film also takes on a more intimate tone than Besson’s previous blockbusters. While the plot occasionally veers into melodrama or loses focus with tonal shifts, the emotional core remains compelling.

In the end, Dogman is a dark, strange, and moving tale about trauma, resilience, and the search for connection. It challenges viewers with its unconventional structure and themes but offers a rewarding portrait of a man who finds salvation not in people, but in the silent loyalty of dogs. It is a haunting fable that lingers long after the credits roll.