Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the deal: A Dog's Purpose wants to be a heartwarming exploration of life's meaning through man's best friend. What it actually is: an emotional wringer that kills dogs repeatedly to make you cry.

The premise—a dog reincarnates across decades, searching for his purpose—has potential. And sure, it tackles real themes about loyalty, loss, and what makes life worth living. But critics savaged it (35% on RT) for good reason: it's manipulative, heavy-handed, and trades genuine insight for cheap tears. The 74% audience score tells you it works on some people, but that 39-point critic-audience gap is telling.

The safety concerns are real. This isn't a gentle "Old Yeller" moment—it's multiple deaths, abuse scenes, a shooting, and euthanasia. The poster shows a cute golden retriever; the movie shows that dog dying. Then another. Then another. If your kid isn't prepared for that, it's going to be rough.

For families ready to tackle heavy themes about death and meaning? It can spark good conversations. For everyone else? There are better dog movies that won't leave your kids sobbing into the couch cushions. The film also carries baggage from on-set animal treatment allegations that surfaced before release, which doesn't help its case.

Bottom line: emotionally manipulative, critically panned, but genuinely connects with some viewers. Know what you're getting into.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media's age 10+ recommendation feels right. Younger kids who are sensitive about animals or haven't dealt with pet loss should wait. Older tweens and teens who can handle emotional themes will get more from the existential questions, though many will find it corny. Not really for adults unless you're a die-hard dog person who doesn't mind schmaltz.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

72

Models loyalty, unconditional love, and finding purpose through service to others. The reincarnation concept teaches about life cycles and enduring bonds. However, includes emotionally heavy themes like pet death (multiple times), divorce, and human grief that can be tough for sensitive kids. The tone is sincere and earnest, sometimes veering into manipulative sentimentality.

Imaginative

58

The reincarnation premise offers a creative framework for exploring multiple dog breeds and time periods (1950s-2000s). However, execution is fairly conventional and predictable—it's more emotionally manipulative than genuinely inventive. Doesn't inspire much creative thinking beyond 'what if my pet came back?' The storytelling follows standard family-film beats without much originality.

Safe

48

Multiple unexpected and emotional dog deaths throughout (the entire premise requires it). Includes a house fire, dog abuse by a teen character, a dog being shot and killed, euthanasia scenes, and intense peril. Divorce subplot with family conflict. These aren't gratuitous, but they're definitely surprise emotional gut-punches that many families won't be prepared for. Common Sense Media rates it 10+, which feels right given the heavy content. This isn't Air Bud—it's emotionally rougher than the poster suggests.

Enriching

64

Explores meaningful themes: finding purpose, the impact we have on others, grief and loss, loyalty, and the human-animal bond. Can spark conversations about death, reincarnation beliefs, and what makes life meaningful. The multiple-life structure offers perspective on how different circumstances shape character. However, the lessons are delivered with a heavy hand, and the film prioritizes tearjerking over nuance. Audience score (74%) suggests it resonates emotionally, but critics (35%) found it manipulative.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely explores big questions about purpose, loyalty, and the lasting impact of love—themes that can resonate across ages
The multiple-dog-lives structure lets kids experience different breeds, time periods, and family dynamics
Can open meaningful conversations about pet loss, grief, and what happens after death (if your family is ready for that)
Strong audience scores (7.3 IMDb, 74% RT audience) suggest it connects emotionally for many viewers
Models the profound bond between humans and animals, emphasizing responsibility and care

⚠

What to Watch For

Multiple dog deaths—this is the entire premise. If your kid struggles with pet loss or is highly sensitive, this will wreck them
A teen character abuses a dog in a disturbing scene; another dog is shot and killed on-screen (not graphic but intense)
House fire sequence with a dog in peril; euthanasia scenes shown (handled gently but still tough)
Divorce subplot with family tension and a father leaving
The film leans HARD into emotional manipulation—some families will find it moving, others will find it cheap

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the dog kept coming back to the same person? What was he trying to learn?"
"If you could come back as an animal, what would you choose and why?"
"The movie shows how the same dog acts differently in different families—why do you think that happened?"
"How do you think Ethan felt when Bailey came back as Buddy? Would you recognize your pet if they came back?"
"What do you think the movie is trying to say about what makes life meaningful?"

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