Dog Man is a fast paced sporadic story in the similar style of its books. It is 90 minutes of quick side adventures, montages, and world building escapades that eventually come together to create a fun cohesive finale in the end. It’s a good time and doesn’t overstay its welcome and that is because of its heart warming message.
The Dog Man series has always been perplexing to me. While at times it resorts to potty humor (lowest form of comedy) to keep the kids laughing; it has always presented an uplifting message that you could quote right out of the Bible. In fact, Dog Man will do it for you, always referencing a Bible verse in the chapter's footnotes. Dog Man’s creator Dav Pilkey grew up in a Christian home. So the question became "who was its targeted audience"; and perhaps the series is more evangelistic than we give it credit.
Fortunately, the movie leans less on the potty humor (a few moments) and more on dad jokes and word puns. The film is quite creative visually in how it shapes its world. Dog man, the main character, is the result of a Frankenstein experiment gone hilariously right. He is the best super cop the police force has in trying to stop Petey the Cat, a villainous feline determined to be “no good”. Dog Man springs into action to foil Petey’s plans and send him to Kitty Jail; again and again.
Once the moral of the story takes over, the film becomes extremely heartfelt. The movie reveals itself to promote family, forgiveness and the action of loving others. Many of the characters have experienced and dealing with abandonment issues and the ability to trust others again. The absence of love can fester self-centeredness. There is a fantastic line delivered in the film that reminds us that love is not one sided. While selfishness focuses on receiving, it keeps us from experiencing the fullness of loving others.
“Love is not just what we feel. It’s something that we do.”
Lil Petey
It reminded me quickly of 1 John 3:18:
Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
Love in the film is very much anchored to biblical love, especially landing on the most important component… that true love is sacrificial, as we watch multiple characters lay down either themselves or their most prized possessions to save another. This is the highest form of love that is overlooked in a culture that promotes self and happiness. It was also a bonus to see that this type of love displayed had a transformative effect and when earnestly given can cover over a multitude of sins.
Even with all the thematic heaviness of abandonment, sacrifice and love, the movie does a superb job of communicating it in a light and relatable way for our little ones to process. It can certainly assist in some great biblical conversations after the credits roll.
Dog Man (2025)
Motion Picture Rating (MPAA) PG for some action and rude humor
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13
And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:2
I seriously had to hide my 9 year old’s dog man books when I noticed him being more sarcastic, ‘shouty’, and smart aleck in his responses. I picked up a dog man book and flipped through a few chapters and was surprised how much potty humor it was, and had this behavior in the characters! Fast forward, that was a few months ago, now the movie is out. Is the movie really as mild and wholesome as you put it out to be? Is it really at the same level as perhaps The Wild Robot? Eager to hear your feedback. Thank you!