Common Sense Media Review
By Monique Jones
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Street dog docu promotes empathy; some strong language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Stray
What's the Story?
STRAY follows Zeytin, Nazar, and Kartal, three of Istanbul's many street dogs. The dogs' lives intertwine with the people of the city, particularly young refugees from Syria who are living on the streets. The film shows that what matters, from a dog's perspective, is love and companionship, not political affiliation, ethnicity, or nationality.
Is It Any Good?
Directed and edited by Elizabeth Lo, this film is a must-see for dog lovers and documentary fans alike. Filmed between 2017 and 2019, Stray is calming yet provocative. The three featured dogs bring out kindness in Istanbul's citizens, even while the city faces political unrest, including the 2017 women's rights march and the rise of the far-right Nationalist Movement Party. The dogs also provide an outlet of support and a family for young refugees who fled the Syrian civil war only to end up living on Turkey's streets.
The boys featured in the documentary aren't the only Syrian refugees who have become unhoused in Turkey after fleeing their home. They face constant accusations of being "glue sniffers" and are often lectured to go home or find a job. And they complain to each other about how the government won't help them. Their predicament is juxtaposed against that of the dogs, who have also been under attack by Istanbul's government, which tried to kill them until the citizens rebelled. With both sides wanting love, companionship, and acceptance, Stray exemplifies how common kindness and understanding are much more important in life than petty divisions. The film also showcases how the core of humanity is good: If a city can rise up to protect its street dogs, imagine what good the city, and others like it, could do against other ills that face us as a human collective.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Istanbul's street dogs interact with humans in Stray. How do the dogs affect the people they encounter? What can we learn from the refugee boys' relationship with Zeytin and Kartal?
What cultural value do the dogs add to the city?
How do you exhibit empathy and compassion to others? What can you learn about empathy and compassion from Istanbul's street dogs?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : March 5, 2021
- Director : Elizabeth Lo
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s)
- Studio : Magnolia Pictures
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : Animals
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Empathy
- Run time : 72 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : December 5, 2025
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