Dogman

Douglas is a damaged young man scraping by in a harsh city, carrying old wounds that shape how he sees people and himself. He forms a quiet, intense bond with a pack of dogs, and that connection becomes his main source of comfort and direction. As he cares for the animals and earns their trust, he also draws attention from violent figures in his neighborhood, and personal relationships grow complicated. The story follows his attempts to protect those he loves and to hold on to the small, steady goodness the dogs bring, while threats from outside life test his limits and force difficult choices.

Directed by Luc Besson and released in 2023, Dogman features Caleb Landry Jones as Douglas, with Jojo T. Gibbs, Christopher Denham, Clemens Schick, and John Charles Aguilar rounding out the principal cast.

Audience response has been generally positive, with a vote average of 7.863 out of 10 from 1,306 votes. Viewers and some critics have highlighted the lead performance and the film's gritty atmosphere, noting themes of loyalty, survival, and the moral costs of living on the margins. The pacing and tonal shifts have drawn mixed reactions, but many appreciate the film's focus on human-animal bonds.

The movie prompted conversation about how animals can anchor people in chaotic lives, and it renewed interest in small-scale, character-driven crime dramas within Besson's filmography. While it hasn't generated a sprawling cultural phenomenon, certain scenes and the central relationship between Douglas and his dogs have stuck with viewers and been shared among fans and film communities online.

Dogman had a relatively limited theatrical run and wasn't positioned as a major commercial blockbuster. It found most of its audience through specialty screenings and word of mouth, building a modest profile rather than topping mainstream box office charts.