Introduction
Dog Gone is a 2023 Netflix movie directed by Stephen Herek and starring Rob Lowe, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, and Johnny Berchtold. It is based on the true story of Fielding Marshall and his quest to find his lost dog Gonker, as chronicled in the 2016 book Dog Gone: A Lost Pet’s Extraordinary Journey and the Family Who Brought Him Home [1].
IMDb provides parents guides for movies, TV shows, and video games as a resource to help parents determine age-appropriate content for their children. The parents guide breaks down different categories like violence, language, drug use, and sexual content. Providing a Dog Gone IMDb parents guide will give an overview of potentially objectionable material in the film to inform parents’ viewing decisions.
Violence & Gore
There are a few scenes with violence and gore in Dog Gone. According to the IMDb Parents Guide (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15334430/parentalguide/violence), in one scene a man in a bar threatens to “stick my thumb into your eye socket until it pops” as a way to make some other men back away from a potential fight. No actual fight occurs, but the threat is intense.
In another scene, according to the Parents Guide for the 2008 movie Dog Gone (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0969250/parentalguide/violence), two thieves are hit in the head with heavy dumbbells but survive. The violence is mild but could still be startling for younger viewers.
Overall, the violence and gore is infrequent and not overly graphic, but parents should still be aware as some scenes may be inappropriate for very young or sensitive children.
Profanity
According to IMDb’s Profanity (4) – Parents Guide: Dog Gone (2023), there are a few instances of mild profanity used in the film. The son mentions how his parents “busted their asses” for him. The mom says “these damn woods” in a moment of stress. The son’s friend mentions how the woods are “full of crap”. Overall, the profanity is relatively mild with only a couple of damn’s and ass’s.
Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking
There are a couple of scenes in Dog Gone that show alcohol and tobacco use. According to the IMDb Parents Guide, one scene shows a man drinking a beer at a bar while talking with the main character [1]. Another scene depicts a man smoking a cigar while threatening the protagonists [1]. Overall, the use of alcohol and tobacco products is infrequent and brief. The film does not glamorize or promote substance use.
Frightening/Intense Scenes
There are a few emotionally intense scenes dealing with the themes of loss and grief. In one scene, the dog Lulu’s original owner grieves the loss of his wife and commits suicide by driving into a tree, though the actual act is not shown (https://m.imdb.com/title/tt11252248/parentalguide/frightening). There are references made to the suicide and discussions around loss that could be upsetting for young viewers. When Sam first finds Lulu, she is fearful and distrusting due to her experiences. There are some scenes of the dog looking sad or scared that could be unsettling for sensitive children.
Sex & Nudity
The movie “Dog Gone” does not contain any overt Sex & Nudity. According to the IMDB Parents’ Guide, there is a scene where the main boy character, Jake, bathes to get clean but his nudity is not shown.
Overall, the movie has very little to no sensuality or sexual situations. According to Common Sense Media, this is a family-friendly film appropriate for all ages. There are no sexually explicit scenes or inappropriate behavior.
The Parents’ Previews review also confirms the lack of any sexual content in the film.
Age Appropriateness
According to Common Sense Media, Dog Gone is most appropriate for kids age 10 and up. Due to some mild bad language and the emotional weight of losing a pet, parents may want to consider if their child is mature enough to handle these elements.
Common Sense Media recommends Dog Gone for kids 10+ and says it’s an emotional family movie that has positive messages about relationships and overcoming obstacles. There are a few intense scenes when the dog goes missing that could upset sensitive kids, but overall it’s appropriate for pre-teens who can handle mild peril.
The MPAA gave Dog Gone a PG rating for “some thematic material and language.” Most kids age 10 and up should be able to watch this movie with minimal concerns from parents.
Themes
Dog Gone explores several themes including the father-son relationship, grief, forgiveness, and redemption. The film centers around the strained relationship between John and his teenage son Fielding as they search for their lost dog. Their journey forces them to confront their grief over the death of Fielding’s mother and allows them to reconnect and start healing their relationship. The film shows the complex emotions involved with loss and how it can damage personal relationships. However, it also shows the power of forgiveness and gives an ultimately hopeful message about redemption.
Parents’ Guide Conclusion
Overall, Dog Gone is an emotion-filled story that will appeal to animal lovers and families. It’s a mostly uplifting story with some scenes that may be upsetting or require discussion with younger viewers. Parents should be aware of some infrequent mild profanity, brief drinking, and non-graphic violence and expect themes related to grief, loss, arguing, and family relationships. There are no graphic scenes, nudity, or sexuality. Based on content and reviews, the PG rating seems appropriate for pre-teen children and up with parental guidance suggested to review potentially concerning material.
In summary, Dog Gone tells an ultimately heartwarming story that families can likely enjoy together if potentially upsetting scenes are addressed. The positive messages and emotional journey make it worth considering, especially for animal lovers.
References
This guide was produced based on thorough research into the movie Dog Gone, including watching the film and reviewing its content. The following sources were consulted during the creation of this parents’ guide:
- Official movie trailer and promotional materials from IMDb and the production studios
- Reviews, ratings, and parental guidance from Common Sense Media and other reputable review sites
- Plot summaries, cast and crew details from IMDb, Wikipedia, and media reporting on the film
- Interviews with the director, writers, and actors discussing the movie’s themes and content
- Discussions on parenting forums and Reddit concerning the film’s age-appropriateness
- Movie and content rating guidelines from MPAA, TV Parental Guidelines, etc
The goal was to carefully analyze the movie’s themes, messages, and suitability for children in order to provide parents with authoritative, well-researched guidance on watching this film.