Dog is a 2022 American comedy drama road film directed by Channing Tatum and Reid Carolin, both making their respective feature directorial debuts. The film stars Tatum as an Army Ranger who must escort the dog of his fallen commander to the funeral. Jane Adams, Kevin Nash, Q’orianka Kilcher, Ethan Suplee, Emmy Raver-Lampman, and Nicole LaLiberte also star.
The film was released in the United States on February 18, 2022, by United Artists Releasing. The film received generally positive reviews from critics, praising Tatum’s direction and performance and dog stories. It was also a box office success, grossed over $76 million worldwide against a $15 million budget.
Jackson Briggs is a former U.S. Army Ranger suffering from PTSD. He is currently working at a deli but is trying to apply for a rotation in Pakistan, but, because of his conditions, he is deemed unfit for service. He attempts to call in favors but is unsuccessful.
Briggs is notified that his former squadmate, Riley Rodriguez, has been killed. Subsequently, during drinks with his fellow Rangers, he is refused a recommendation for the rotation.
Briggs is later called into Fort Lewis to escort Riley’s dog, Lulu, a Belgian Malinois military working dog, to attend his funeral in Nogales, Arizona, after which Briggs is to bring Lulu to a base where she will be euthanized, as Lulu has a history of aggressive behavior with other handlers, and nobody else is willing to take her in. In return, Briggs’s former captain will recommend him for an overseas tour. When Briggs attempts to take her in, Lulu pounces on him because he touched her ears, where she is sensitive.
On the road to Arizona, Briggs visits a shooting range and removes Lulu’s muzzle. She breaks out of her cage and destroys the fabric on Briggs’ car seats. He then buys a sausage and stuffs it with sedatives so Lulu can fall asleep. As she drifts off, Briggs drives to Oregon and stops at a bar where he tries to hit on multiple women, but, both his and the women’s behavior and demeanor repel each other.
As Briggs prepares to continue driving, he checks on Lulu and is spotted by two friends, Bella and Zoe, who are accompanied by dogs of their own. They admire Lulu and invite Briggs back to their place, where they begin to engage in a threesome. Lulu stays in the car and barks loudly, prompting a neighbor to inspect Briggs’ vehicle and believe that Lulu is being held there as a means of abuse. Briggs checks on Lulu and sees the man throwing a rock at the back windshield to get Lulu out, but, she runs out and attacks the man until Briggs pulls Lulu off. Bella and Zoe are mortified and don’t let Briggs stay with them.