7.0
Where can I stream White Dog legally?
You can rent or buy it from Fandango At Home. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.
White Dog fingerprint
High energy, strong craft, emotionally cool.
Energy
Nerve-racking and violent
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
- Tension9
- Violence8
- Adrenaline7
Heart
Melancholic and moving
- Melancholy8
- Pathos7
- Catharsis7
Humor
Some dark humor and satire
Not a comedy at heart.
- Dark Humor7
- Satire & Parody6
- Physical Comedy2
World
Society, the mind, and everyday modern life
- World Immersion7
- Dialogue Centrality7
- Rewatchability7
Craft
Standout direction, performances, and characters
- Intrigue9
- Direction8
- Acting8
Style
Functional look and sound
- Cinematography7
- Editing7
- Visual Stylization7
Energy
HighNerve-racking and violent
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
White Dog is nerve-racking, violent, and thrilling. The story builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
All energy traits
- Tension9Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Violence8Physical conflict and intensity.
- Adrenaline7High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Scare6Frightening moments and scares.
- Spectacle6Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Fast Pace5Quick tempo and momentum.
Related traits
- Bleakness9Grim, stark outlooks.
- Slow Burn7Gradual build with payoff.
- Uncanny6Eerie, unsettling strangeness.
- Grotesque5Macabre, distorted imagery.
Heart
NoneMelancholic and moving
Emotionally, it's melancholic, moving, and cathartic.
All heart traits
- Melancholy8Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Pathos7Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Catharsis7Emotional release and payoff.
- Nostalgia5Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Hopefulness2Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Romance1Love stories and emotional connections.
- Wholesome1Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Coming of Age1Personal growth and self-discovery.
- Family Dynamics1Relationships and generational ties.
- Wonder1Awe, discovery, and amazement.
Related traits
- Bleakness9Grim, stark outlooks.
- Character Depth8Rich, complex characterization.
- Philosophical7Ideas about life and existence.
Humor
MediumSome dark humor and satire
Not a comedy at heart.
Expect some dark humor and satire.
All humor traits
- Dark Humor7Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Satire & Parody6Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Physical Comedy2Slapstick and visual gags.
- Situational Comedy1Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Wit & Wordplay1Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Cringe Humor1Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Absurdist Humor1Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
Related traits
- Eccentricity5Oddball tone and quirks.
World
MediumSociety, the mind, and everyday modern life
Its world is built around society, the mind, and everyday modern life.
All world traits
- World Immersion7Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
- Rewatchability7Invites repeat viewing.
- Novelty7Fresh ideas and invention.
- Ambiguity5Open-endedness and uncertainty.
Related traits
- Social Commentary10Perspectives on society and norms.
- Psychological9Inner worlds and mind games.
- Contemporary Realism8Modern, grounded storytelling.
- Politics8Thought-provoking works exploring political themes.
- Mystery6Whodunnits and unraveling secrets.
- Crime5Heists, investigation, and underworld.
Craft
HighStandout direction, performances, and characters
The direction, performances, and characters stand out.
All craft traits
- Intrigue9Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Direction8Vision and command behind the camera.
- Acting8Performance craft and presence.
- Character Depth8Rich, complex characterization.
- Narrative Structure7Story architecture and form.
- Dialogue Quality7Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Complexity7Layered plots and ideas.
- Non-linear Narrative1Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative1Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Novelty7Fresh ideas and invention.
- Philosophical7Ideas about life and existence.
- Slow Burn7Gradual build with payoff.
- Fast Pace5Quick tempo and momentum.
All style traits
- Cinematography7Visual composition and camera work.
- Editing7Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Visual Stylization7Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Music Composition6Score and musical identity.
- Sound Centrality6Sound design as core element.
- Music Centrality4The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
- Spectacle6Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Grotesque5Macabre, distorted imagery.
Who it's for
AdultsFriends NightSolo WatchThought-Provoking
Skip it if
You need an uplifting moodGraphic violence bothers you
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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.
About
When man’s best friend becomes his fiercest enemy…
Samuel Fuller’s throat-grabbing exposé on American racism was misunderstood and withheld from release when it was made in the early eighties.Today, the notorious film is lauded for its daring metaphor and gripping pulp filmmaking. Kristy McNichol stars as a young actress who adopts a lost German shepherd, only to discover through a series of horrifying incidents that the dog has been trained to attack black people, and Paul Winfield plays the animal trainer who tries to cure him. A snarling, uncompromising vision, White Dog is a tragic portrait of the evil done by that most corruptible of all animals; the human being.
Racial PrejudiceCanine ViolenceSocial CritiquePsychological ThrillerTension & SuspenseBleak AtmosphereProvocativeDark Themes
Actors
Crew
Directed by:
Written by:
Produced by:
Composed by:
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Sequels and Prequels
No sequels or prequels available
Media
Questions about White Dog
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is White Dog worth watching?
81
GreatGoodWatch scoreYes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 82/100 (IMDb 7 and Rotten Tomatoes 94%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is White Dog rated?
PGViolenceDisturbing imagery
It's rated PG in the United States. Content advisories: violence and disturbing imagery.
How long is White Dog?
1 h 30 min
White Dog runs 1 h 30 min.
Is White Dog based on a true story?
No. It's adapted from a novel.
Do critics and audiences agree on White Dog?
Critics94
Audiences72
Not quite. Critics rate White Dog higher (94) than audiences (72). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.
Was White Dog a box office hit?
Budget$8 million
Box office$46,509
No. It cost about $8 million to make and earned $46,509 worldwide, 1% of its budget.
What language is White Dog in?
English
It was made in English. Produced in United States.
In how many countries can I watch White Dog?
27
+13
+13GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for White Dog in 27 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.
What tropes does White Dog use?
Adaptational HeroismAs HerselfAttempted RapeBerserk ButtonBeware of Vicious DogDartboard of HateDoes This Remind You of Anything?Downer EndingDriving a DeskEscaped Animal RampageSuper Window JumpHumans Are Bastardsand 6 more
TV Tropes lists 18 storytelling tropes for White Dog, including Adaptational Heroism, As Herself, Attempted Rape.