Dogtooth (2009) Movie Review – A Disturbing Exploration of Control and Isolation
Dogtooth (2009), directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, is a provocative and unsettling film that delves into the dark extremes of parental control and the consequences of isolation. This Greek psychological drama, with its stark and clinical style, has gained international recognition for its daring narrative and chilling atmosphere. Dogtooth challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about power, family dynamics, and the nature of reality. This review explores the film’s plot, themes, direction, performances, and availability for streaming, particularly in the United States.
Plot Overview
Dogtooth centers on a seemingly ordinary family that lives in near-total seclusion, isolated from the outside world by the parents, who enforce an extreme and bizarre system of control over their three adult children. The father (Christos Stergioglou) and mother (Michele Valley) have constructed an elaborate web of lies, teaching their children an entirely distorted version of reality. The children, who remain nameless, are taught false definitions of common words, such as calling the sea a “chair” or a “cat” as a deadly creature, and they believe that they can only leave the compound once they lose a “dogtooth.”
The family’s home is surrounded by high walls, and the children have no knowledge of the world beyond. They are subjected to strict routines and bizarre rituals, all designed to keep them obedient and dependent on their parents. The father is the sole link to the outside world, bringing in food and occasionally allowing outsiders, like a female security guard named Christina (Anna Kalaitzidou), to enter the home for specific purposes. Christina is paid to satisfy the sexual needs of the eldest son, a transaction that introduces a chaotic element into the family’s rigidly controlled environment.
As the children’s curiosity grows and the parents’ control begins to falter, cracks start to appear in the family’s carefully constructed reality. The eldest daughter (Aggeliki Papoulia), driven by a desire for independence and knowledge, begins to challenge the limitations imposed upon her, leading to a series of disturbing and violent events that culminate in a shocking and ambiguous climax.
Themes and Symbolism
Dogtooth is rich with themes that explore the darker aspects of human nature, particularly the dangers of absolute power, the fragility of innocence, and the psychological effects of isolation. At its core, the film is a critique of authoritarianism, examining how those in power can manipulate and control reality to maintain their dominance. The parents’ control over their children is absolute, extending to every aspect of their lives, including language, knowledge, and even sexuality.
The film also explores the concept of innocence as a form of vulnerability. The children’s lack of exposure to the outside world leaves them completely dependent on their parents, who exploit this dependence to maintain control. The children’s ignorance is both a shield and a trap, protecting them from the harsh realities of the world but also preventing them from developing any sense of autonomy or identity.
Isolation is another key theme in Dogtooth. The family’s physical and psychological isolation from the outside world creates an environment where abnormal behavior becomes normalized. The film raises questions about the nature of reality and how our perceptions are shaped by the information we are given. In Dogtooth, reality is malleable, controlled by those in power to serve their own interests.
The use of symbolism in Dogtooth is subtle yet powerful. The “dogtooth” itself represents a rite of passage, a symbol of the children’s potential escape from their parents’ control. The cat, introduced as a deadly creature, symbolizes the outside world—unknown, dangerous, and uncontrollable. The family’s home, with its pristine and sterile appearance, symbolizes the illusion of order and safety, masking the underlying dysfunction and brutality.
Direction and Cinematic Style
Yorgos Lanthimos’s direction in Dogtooth is cold and detached, mirroring the emotional distance between the characters and the artificial world they inhabit. The film’s visual style is minimalist, with static camera shots and a muted color palette that enhances the sense of confinement and control. The lack of music in many scenes further amplifies the unsettling atmosphere, forcing viewers to confront the stark reality of the characters’ lives without any comforting distractions.
Lanthimos’s use of deadpan delivery and stilted dialogue adds to the film’s eerie tone, creating a sense of unnaturalness that permeates every scene. This style, which has become a signature of Lanthimos’s work, serves to alienate the viewer, making the events on screen feel both distant and disturbingly intimate.
The film’s pacing is deliberate, allowing the tension to build slowly as the cracks in the family’s facade begin to widen. Lanthimos does not shy away from showing the disturbing consequences of the parents’ control, using shocking imagery and scenes of violence to underscore the film’s themes. The ambiguous ending leaves the viewer with more questions than answers, forcing them to grapple with the implications of what they have witnessed.
Performances
The performances in Dogtooth are chillingly effective, with each actor fully embodying the strange and unsettling world created by Lanthimos. Christos Stergioglou, as the father, delivers a performance that is both menacing and inscrutable. His portrayal of a man who exerts absolute control over his family while maintaining a facade of normalcy is deeply unsettling.
Michele Valley, as the mother, is equally compelling, presenting a character who is complicit in the father’s control yet seemingly detached from the emotional and psychological impact of their actions. Her cold and clinical demeanor adds to the film’s eerie atmosphere.
The children, played by Aggeliki Papoulia, Mary Tsoni, and Christos Passalis, are the emotional core of the film. Their performances capture the innocence and confusion of characters who have been completely cut off from the outside world. Papoulia, in particular, shines as the eldest daughter, whose growing awareness and desire for freedom drive the film’s narrative. Her transformation from obedient child to defiant rebel is both heartbreaking and terrifying to watch.
Critical Reception and Legacy
Dogtooth received widespread critical acclaim for its originality, direction, and performances. The film won the Un Certain Regard prize at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival, and it was later nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, cementing its status as a significant work in contemporary cinema.
Critics praised the film for its bold and uncompromising approach to storytelling, with many noting its unsettling atmosphere and thought-provoking themes. However, Dogtooth also polarized audiences, with some viewers finding its content too disturbing or its narrative too opaque.
Despite its divisiveness, Dogtooth has had a lasting impact on the film industry, influencing a wave of filmmakers interested in exploring the darker aspects of human nature and the dynamics of power and control. Lanthimos’s subsequent films, such as The Lobster (2015) and The Favourite (2018), continue to explore similar themes, but Dogtooth remains one of his most provocative and challenging works.
Where to Watch Dogtooth (2009) Online
For those interested in experiencing Dogtooth, the film is available on several streaming platforms and rental services, particularly in the United States:
- Criterion Channel: Dogtooth is available for streaming on the Criterion Channel, which offers a curated selection of classic and contemporary films from around the world.
- Amazon Prime Video: The film can be rented or purchased on Amazon Prime Video. Rental prices typically start at $3.99, with purchase options available for around $12.99.
- Apple TV: Dogtooth is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, offering a convenient option for high-definition streaming.
- Google Play Movies & TV: The film can be rented or purchased on Google Play Movies & TV, providing flexibility for viewers who prefer streaming on various devices.
- YouTube Movies: Dogtooth is also accessible on YouTube Movies for rent or purchase, making it easily available for streaming.
Final Verdict
Dogtooth is not an easy film to watch, but it is an essential one for those interested in cinema that challenges conventions and pushes the boundaries of storytelling. Yorgos Lanthimos’s unsettling exploration of control, isolation, and the distortion of reality is a powerful and thought-provoking experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
For viewers who appreciate films that delve into the darker aspects of human nature and who are unafraid to confront uncomfortable truths, Dogtooth offers a unique and unforgettable cinematic journey. Its availability on multiple streaming platforms ensures that it remains accessible to new audiences, allowing it to continue provoking thought and discussion for years to come.
