Watch Dogs

Dogs is a gripping Romanian thriller that brings together the talents of director Bogdan Mirica and actors Dragos Bucur, Gheorghe Visu, and Vlad Ivanov. Released in 2016, the film follows the story of Roman, a young man who inherits a piece of land from his recently deceased grandfather in a remote rural area. Roman is excited to start his new life, but he quickly realizes that his inheritance comes with a dark past and a dangerous present.

The first few minutes of Dogs set the mood for what is to come. Primitive music and melancholic landscapes create a dramatic atmosphere that only intensifies as the story develops. The use of natural imagery, such as the sky above the fields and forests, serves as a powerful metaphor for the isolation and vulnerability that Roman will experience.

After reaching his property, Roman meets a pair of policemen who warn him about the presence of aggressive dogs in the area, hence the title of the film. The policemen are played by Gheorghe Visu and Vlad Ivanov, both of whom deliver outstanding performances that complement the unsettling atmosphere of the story.

As Roman attempts to settle in, he comes across a group of people who seem to control the area. They engage in illegal activities, such as dogfights and cattle rustling, and Roman's presence threatens their operations. The leader of the gang is named Samir, played by Vlad Ivanov, who delivers a menacing performance that borders on the psychotic.

From that point on, Dogs becomes a tense game of cat and mouse, as Roman tries to survive in an environment that is both hostile and sinister. The cinematography is superb, using the vastness of the landscapes to create a sense of despair and isolation that is almost palpable. The pacing of the film is deliberate, allowing the tension to build up slowly but surely until it reaches a shocking climax that will leave audiences breathless.

One of the strengths of Dogs is the way it portrays its characters. Every actor gives a nuanced performance that highlights the shades of their personalities. Dragos Bucur, in particular, plays Roman with a quiet intensity that reveals his inner turmoil without the need for lengthy monologues. Gheorghe Visu, on the other hand, delivers a restrained performance that conveys wisdom and experience beyond his words.

But the standout performance of Dogs comes from Vlad Ivanov, who plays the psychopathic Samir. Ivanov's acting is outstanding, as he manages to make Samir both repulsive and fascinating at the same time. The audience will be both repelled by his actions and drawn to his charisma, creating a sense of unease that permeates the entire film.

Despite being a thriller, Dogs also has moments of quiet introspection that give the characters depth and realism. The screenplay, written by director Bogdan Mirica, is intelligent and thought-provoking, exploring themes such as family, loyalty, and the cost of isolation. The film also touches upon the corruption that infests rural societies, exposing the dark side of a seemingly idyllic environment.

In conclusion, Dogs is a powerful thriller that will stay with audiences long after the credits roll. Its superb acting, stunning cinematography, and intelligent screenplay make it a must-see for fans of the genre. Bogdan Mirica proves himself to be a talent to watch in the world of cinema, and Dragos Bucur, Gheorghe Visu, and Vlad Ivanov deliver performances that are nothing short of brilliant. With Dogs, Romanian cinema cements its reputation as a force to be reckoned with.

Dogs is a 2021 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 55.