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Alpha Dog
2006 122 min Germany, United Kingdom, United States of America R 18+
★6.7
Crime, Drama, Thriller
Director: Nick Cassavetes
Trailers
Description
Johnny Truelove likes to see himself as tough. He's the son of an underworld figure and a drug dealer. Johnny also likes to get tough when things don't go his way. When Jake Mazursky fails to pay up for Johnny, things get worse for the Mazursky family, as Johnny and his 'gang' kidnap Jake's 15 year old brother and hold him hostage.
Budget:
$9.5M
US Gross:
$15.31M
Worldwide:
$32.4M
Starring
Emile Hirsch
Actor
Justin Timberlake
Actor
Anton Yelchin
Actor
Awards
MTV Movie & TV Awards 2007
— Breakthrough of the Year
Key opinion
Alpha Dog is a raw and unsettling examination of privileged, misguided youth that balances a documentary-like realism with a tragic, inevitable narrative. While some critics find the film's dramatic impact limited, others praise its cohesive power and the compelling, gritty performances of its ensemble cast.
| Acting | Justin Timberlake and Ben Foster deliver unexpectedly mature and powerful performances that anchor the emotional stakes of the film. | |
| Theme | The film succeeds as a grounded, non-moralizing study of how impulsive decisions and lack of parental guidance spiral into irreversible tragedy. | |
| Direction | Nick Cassavetes’ direction creates a palpable, slow-building atmosphere of dread that draws viewers into the characters' reckless world. | |
| Ending | The ending is highly effective for some as a devastating, ambiguous conclusion, while others find the narrative resolution unsettling or lacking in traditional clarity. | |
| Originality | Opinions on the film's overall power are divided; some view it as a cohesive, impactful masterpiece, while others argue it lacks the standout elements needed to elevate it above a standard crime drama. |