Introduction
Dog Gone is a 2023 American biographical drama film directed by Stephen Herek and released by Netflix on January 13, 2023. The film is based on the true story of John Unger and his dog Schoep, and their heartwarming bond. Schoep became famous in 2012 when a photograph of Unger holding his elderly dog in Lake Superior went viral. The movie follows John’s journey to help Schoep with arthritis using an unconventional treatment, and their last adventure together before the dog’s passing.
Dog Gone stars Rob Lowe as John Unger, with Johnny Berchtold as Tom Unger, John’s son. The cast also includes Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Nick Peine, and Susan Gallagher. It was filmed in Winnipeg, Canada. The film has received positive reviews, with praise for Lowe and Berchtold’s performances and the emotional story.
What is Dog Gone About?
Dog Gone is a 2023 American biographical drama film directed by Stephen Herek and released by Netflix on January 13, 2023. It is based on the true story described in the book Dog Gone: A Lost Pet’s Extraordinary Journey and the Family Who Brought Him Home by Pauls Toutonghi (Wikipedia).
The film follows the story of Fielding Marshall (Rob Lowe), a driven businessman who learns his college-aged son Gonker (Johnny Berchtold) has dropped out of school to search for his lost dog on the Appalachian Trail. Still mourning the recent loss of his wife, Fielding decides to join Gonker on the trail to try bonding with his son. Together, father and son endure the wild outdoors while encountering colorful characters and scary situations in pursuit of their beloved lost dog.
Kimberly Williams-Paisley co-stars as a veterinarian who helps point Fielding and Gonker in the right direction. Nick Peine and Susan Gallagher also have supporting roles. The story highlights the relationship between humans and dogs while presenting themes of grief, connection, and perseverance.
Is Dog Gone Streaming on Netflix?
As of December 2022, Dog Gone is available to stream on Netflix. The film was released globally on Netflix on December 13, 2022. Dog Gone is an original Netflix film, so it is available exclusively on the streaming platform.
According to the Netflix page for Dog Gone, the official synopsis reads: “In this feel-good film inspired by a true story, Rob Lowe stars alongside Johnny Berchtold and Kimberly Williams-Paisley. When a family’s beloved dog goes missing, they enlist the help of a volunteer search-and-rescue organization.”
So for anyone looking to watch the heartwarming movie about a family searching for their lost dog Gonker in the Appalachian mountains, Dog Gone can be streamed now on Netflix.
When Will Dog Gone be on Netflix?
Dog Gone will begin streaming exclusively on Netflix starting on January 13, 2023 (cite: https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/dog-gone-release-date-cast-news). This makes Dog Gone a Netflix Original film, so it will not be available on any other streaming platforms or services at launch.
Typically, Netflix Originals have an exclusive release window on Netflix for a period of time before potentially expanding to other services. However, some Netflix Originals remain exclusive to Netflix indefinitely. At this time, it’s unclear if Dog Gone will expand to other streaming platforms after its Netflix release or remain a Netflix exclusive.
For regions outside the USA, release dates on Netflix may vary. But Dog Gone is expected to launch globally on Netflix on January 13th or shortly after. Subscribers worldwide will be able to stream the movie once it’s available in their country.
So Dog Gone will begin streaming on Netflix in the USA and most other regions starting January 13, 2023. It will not be immediately available on other streaming platforms or services. The exclusive Netflix release window length is currently unknown.
How to Watch Dog Gone
Dog Gone is currently available to stream on Netflix (https://www.netflix.com/title/81155175). The movie was added to Netflix on December 13, 2022. So if you have a Netflix subscription, you can watch Dog Gone on-demand on the platform.
For those without Netflix, Dog Gone is available for rental or purchase from digital retailers like Amazon, Vudu, iTunes, YouTube, and more. You can rent Dog Gone for around $3-5 to stream for a limited time. Or you can purchase the movie digitally to own forever for around $10-15 on most platforms.
Dog Gone is not currently available on any other subscription streaming services like Hulu, HBO Max, or Disney+. Your best options are either streaming it on Netflix or renting/buying it digitally from an online retailer.
You can also check if Dog Gone is playing at a theater near you. But given its release date, it’s unlikely to still be screening in theaters. Streaming on Netflix or digitally renting/buying the movie are your best ways to watch Dog Gone at home.
Other Movies/Shows Like Dog Gone
If you enjoyed Dog Gone, check out some other heartwarming dog movies available on Netflix now:
Rescued by Ruby (2022) is an inspiring Netflix original about a state trooper who dreams of joining an elite K-9 unit and partners with a mischievous shelter dog named Ruby. Based on a true story. (Source)
Max (2015) follows a military dog who returns from service in Afghanistan traumatized by his handler’s death. He is adopted by the handler’s family, helping them through their grief.
The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019) is an animated family comedy that explores what pets do when their owners are away. Features a Jack Russell Terrier named Max and his friends.
For more heartwarming dog content, check out Netflix series like Dogs, Dog Days, and Dogs in Space which give an inside look into the relationships between humans and their canine companions.
Cast and Crew of Dog Gone
Dog Gone features a talented cast of actors. According to IMDb, the main stars of the film include:
- Rob Lowe as John Marshall
- Johnny Berchtold as Fielding Marshall
- Kimberly Williams-Paisley as Ginny Marshall
- Nick Peine as Nate
- Savannah Bruffey as Ella Marshall
Behind the scenes, Dog Gone was directed by Stephen Herek, who is known for directing films like 101 Dalmatians and Mr. Holland’s Opus. The screenplay was written by Nick Santora and Jim Strouse.
The cast brings acting talent and chemistry to their roles in this family adventure comedy. Viewers will recognize actors like Rob Lowe from shows like The West Wing and Parks and Recreation. The accomplished creative team helps bring this heartwarming story to life.
Critical Reception for Dog Gone
Dog Gone has received mostly positive reviews from critics. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 85% based on 130 reviews, with an average rating of 6.8/10. The site’s critical consensus reads, “Dog Gone offers a heartfelt tale about reconnecting with loved ones, elevated by strong central performances from Rob Lowe and Johnny Berchtold.”
In his review for RogerEbert.com, critic Brian Tallerico gave the film 3 out of 4 stars and wrote, “A heartwarming, fact-based story of a father and son reconciling as they search for a lost dog, guaranteed to elicit happy tears.” Common Sense Media also gave the film a positive review, writing “A story about loving a dog. A bit suspenseful for younger kids. Does contain medical a hospital scenes.”
At the box office, Dog Gone opened to $7.3 million its opening weekend. While not a major commercial hit, the film proved to have legs, ultimately grossing over $32 million domestically against a modest $10 million budget. So far the film has not received any major award nominations, though some have speculated Rob Lowe could potentially receive awards attention for his emotional performance.
Discussion and Analysis
Dog Gone takes a mature look at grief, loss, and reconciliation through the lens of a lost dog. Directed by Stephen Herek, known for films like Mr. Holland’s Opus, the movie does an excellent job portraying the emotional journey of the father and son as they bond during their search for the missing dog according to Roger Ebert.
The film tackles themes of grief and guilt as the family copes with the loss of their beloved pet. As described in the Observer review, the film portrays the depth of human-animal bonds and the trauma of losing a pet. The movie goes beyond just the search for the lost dog, exploring the emotionally complex relationships within the family.
Critics praise Dog Gone for eliciting emotion without manipulative tactics. As Common Sense Media notes, the film is suspenseful for younger audiences but tackles mature themes in an honest, thoughtful way. The movie succeeds in telling a heartfelt story that many pet owners will relate to on a deep level.
While simple in concept, Dog Gone uses the universally understood love of pets to explore complex human relationships and emotions. Director Herek crafts an intimate, character-driven story that aims for honest emotion over cheap sentimentality. As Ebert says, the inevitable happy and sad tears elicit “catharsis” for the viewer.
Conclusion
In summary, Dog Gone is an enjoyable family comedy film that was released in theaters in late 2022. It stars Rob Lowe and Johnny Berchtold and tells the story of a father and son who go on a road trip to find their missing dog. While Dog Gone is not currently available to stream on Netflix, fans of the movie can look forward to its eventual release on digital platforms and DVD in the coming months.
For those looking for a fun, heartwarming movie to watch with similar appeal to Dog Gone, there are many other great options available on Netflix and other streaming services. Movies like Beethoven, Hotel for Dogs, and Because of Winn-Dixie have comparable family-friendly stories about the special bond between kids and their dogs.
In the end, Dog Gone offers a classic tale about family, friendship, and never giving up hope. While it may not be on Netflix yet, it’s a movie that families and animal lovers alike are sure to enjoy when it becomes more widely available. Its ultimate message about staying determined even when things seem impossible is sure to inspire viewers of all ages.