Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Faith-based family drama could distress dog lovers.
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The Stray
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 28 parent reviews
Parents say the movie elicits mixed reactions, with some finding it a touching family story that highlights love and loss, while others criticize it for its heavy themes and poor execution. Many viewers noted that the film's portrayal of tragedy, particularly the fate of the family dog, was upsetting, particularly for younger audiences, making it ill-suited for family movie nights without prior consideration of the film's emotional weight.
- heartbreaking themes
- poor execution
- mixed reactions
- intense scenes
- family appropriate
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 6 kid reviews
What's the Story?
THE STRAY is a semi-autobiographical drama about director Mitch Davis' (here played by Michael Cunningham) family dog in the early 1990s. Mitch is so busy working at a production studio reading scripts that he doesn't have time to write his own, much less play sports with his oldest son, Christian (Connor Corum), who's being bullied at school. Christian wants a dog, but mom Michelle (Sarah Lancaster) has her hands full with three young kids -- so she says that if a stray dog manages to find their family, they'll keep it. And that's exactly what happens: A stray mutt protects Christian from his tormentors, and the Davis family takes him in and names him Pluto. The dog also manages to save the family's toddler when she ambles out of the house, and, after a move to rural Colorado, Pluto continues to help strengthen the family's bonds.
Is It Any Good?
While the first half of the movie is a wholesome, uplifting family drama, the second half is full of seemingly never-ending distress for dog-loving audiences. There are some things to like about The Stray -- despite Mitch's work-life balance issues and Christian's initial lack of friends, the Davises have a strong, faithful family (Davis is Mormon in real life, but the on-screen Davis family is depicted as Christian, without any specific reference to a particular denomination). The movie's faith-based aspect is downplayed but present in prayers and the subtle message that Pluto was sent to the family by God. But secular families who love dogs might still find the movie appealing ... at least at first.
Cunningham and Lancaster do their best with the script's sentimental material, but there are some head-scratching moments that will force moviegoers to suspend their disbelief one too many times. For instance, it's an admittedly nitpicky detail, but any family camper knows you don't fire up a portable gas burner inside a tent. But pretty much everything that happens on the fateful backpacking trip Mitch takes with Christian and his two friends is difficult to process or believe. And Mitch and the boys' behavior after a catastrophic event just doesn't make any sense. From there, the rest of the movie is a long, painful ordeal -- every scene a strange reminder of what was lost on the camping trip.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of dog-centered movies like The Stray. Why do you think they connect so much with viewers? Do you think you need to have or love dogs to appreciate these movies?
Why do you think animals dying in movies can be so much more upsetting than even human-related violence in movies?
Which characters are role models in The Stray? What character strengths do they exhibit?
How does the movie portray bullying? Does it seem realistic?
If you have pets, talk about the role they play in your life and how they've made your family closer.
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 6, 2017
- On DVD or streaming : February 6, 2018
- Cast : Michael Cassidy , Sarah Lancaster , Connor Corum
- Director : Mitch Davis
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Purdie Distribution
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Animals , Friendship
- Run time : 92 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : thematic elements including a perilous situation
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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