Dog

Dog

Year: 2017

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: French

Director: Samuel Benchetrit

ComedyDrama

After losing his wife, home, and job, Jacques Blanchot retreats from the world, isolating himself from those around him. His life takes an unexpected turn when a pet shop owner offers him refuge and assistance, providing a new sense of purpose and connection.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Dog yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Dog (2017)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Dog (2017). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Contemporary (present day)

The film takes place in the current era, showcasing modern-day issues such as PTSD, mental health, and military service. The story's events are set over a few days to weeks, illustrating Briggs' emotional and physical voyage across multiple states in the United States.

Location

Fort Lewis, Nogales AZ, Oregon, Middle East, local house, hotel, barn, pier, motel

The movie spans various locations, primarily set in the southwestern United States, including Fort Lewis and Nogales, Arizona. It also features scenic drives through Oregon and rural areas, as well as a flashback to the Middle East, emphasizing the character's military background. These diverse settings reflect Briggs' journey through grief, healing, and redemption.

🏞️ Military Base 🌵 Desert 🌊 Coastal 🏜️ Rural 🏠 Homely 🌧️ Rainy

Last Updated: August 05, 2025 at 06:54

Main Characters – Dog (2017)

Meet the key characters of Dog (2017), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jacques Blanchot (Vincent Macaigne)

A contemplative and troubled veteran battling PTSD, Briggs seeks redemption and purpose. His journey is marked by moments of vulnerability, guilt, and resilience, as he tries to reconnect with his humanity through his bond with Lulu.

🎖️ PTSD 🤝 Loyal 🧳 Traveler

Hélène (Vanessa Paradis)

Hélène is a caring figure from Briggs’ past, representing a connection to his personal life and family. Her presence underscores themes of longing and the difficulties of maintaining relationships after trauma.

💔 Longing 🌸 Compassionate 💍 Past love

Max (Bouli Lanners)

Max is a supportive character who offers Briggs guidance and reflects the importance of friendship and understanding during difficult times.

🤝 Supportive 👂 Listener 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Mentor

Gus (Kevin Nash)

A cautious homeowner who initially misunderstands Briggs’ intentions, Gus eventually shows kindness, illustrating themes of trust and forgiveness.

🤝 Trust 🏡 Shelter 🩺 Caregiver

Tamara (Jane Adams)

A compassionate caregiver who tends to Lulu and offers Briggs a moment of introspection, reflecting themes of healing and understanding.

🌿 Nurturing 💊 Healing 🤲 Empathy

Sam (Jacqueline Seaman)

Briggs’ young daughter symbolizes innocence and the desire for connection, representing Briggs’ hope for a new beginning.

👧 Innocence 💖 Hope 🌟 Future

Last Updated: August 05, 2025 at 06:54

Major Themes – Dog (2017)

Explore the central themes of Dog (2017), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧠 Mental Health

The movie explores the impact of PTSD on veterans, including struggles with depression, anxiety, and trauma. Briggs' journey highlights themes of healing, resilience, and the importance of seeking help. Lulu also symbolizes emotional healing through the bond they develop.

🦮 Companionship

Lulu's relationship with Briggs underscores the significance of loyalty and companionship. Their bond helps both characters confront their inner demons and find purpose beyond their troubled pasts. The film emphasizes the therapeutic power of animals and connection.

🎖️ Survivor's Guilt

The film addresses the emotional toll of war, particularly survivor's guilt. Briggs feels responsible for his friend's death and struggles to reconnect with a normal life. His journey reflects the difficult path toward acceptance and moving forward.

Last Updated: August 05, 2025 at 06:54

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Road Trip Healing Journeys like Dog

A solitary person finds purpose and connection on a transformative physical journey.If you liked the emotional road trip in Dog, explore more movies where a journey is the catalyst for personal healing. These films focus on characters dealing with grief or trauma who find purpose and connection on the open road, resulting in a quiet, hopeful resolution.

journeyhealingcontemplativeroad tripsolitudehopefulgriefredemption

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a linear journey from a place of emotional pain to a destination representing potential peace. The physical movement mirrors the character's slow, often reluctant, emotional progress. Conflict arises from both external roadblocks and internal struggles, with small victories and connections building toward a cathartic, hopeful conclusion.

Why These Movies?

This group is defined by the powerful combination of a literal road trip and a metaphorical journey of healing. They share a steady, contemplative pacing that allows for character reflection, a melancholic yet ultimately hopeful tone, and a focus on overcoming internal demons through external motion.

Movies about Healing with Animals like Dog

A broken individual finds redemption through caring for a difficult but loyal animal.For viewers who enjoyed the bond between man and dog in Dog, this section features similar stories of emotional healing through animal companionship. These films explore how a troubled person and a difficult animal can save each other, leading to powerful redemptive arcs.

human-animal bondredemptionhealinglonelyhopefulgrittyemotionalrescue

Narrative Summary

The plot revolves around the reluctant but necessary partnership between a human and an animal, both carrying their own scars. The journey involves overcoming mutual distrust, learning to communicate, and facing challenges together. This shared experience rebuilds the human's capacity for empathy and purpose, culminating in a deeply earned emotional resolution.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are united by the central theme of interspecies redemption. They consistently balance somber, reflective moods with uplifting payoffs, focus on character-driven development over complex plots, and deliver a medium emotional weight that is heavy with struggle but lightened by unconditional loyalty and hope.

Unlock the Full Story of Dog

Don't stop at just watching — explore Dog in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Dog is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Dog Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Dog, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Dog Summary

Dog Timeline

Track the full timeline of Dog with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Dog Timeline

Dog Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Dog that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Dog Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Dog

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Dog: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Dog

Similar Movies to Dog

Discover movies like Dog that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.