Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent, slow burn thriller addresses racism, PTSD.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Sleeping Dog
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Based on the Israeli series The Exchange Principle (Akron HaHachlaa) SLEEPING DOG (Schlafende Hunde) is a German crime thriller about a traumatic reinvestigation of a closed murder case. Max Reimelt plays Mike Atlas, a former police detective who is struggling with PTSD after surviving a terrorist event at a Christmas Market. Living as a recluse and estranged from his wife Lenni (Peri Baumeister) and their teenage daughter Tinka (Tara Corrigan), his memories of cases prior to the event are spotty. But after he learns about the suicide of Mussa Bassher, a man he helped put in prison years prior for the murder of a judge, Atlas begins to question how and why the man was convicted. While living on the streets, Atlas launches his own personal reinvestigation that requires him to revisit his work on the case in order to confirm Bassher's guilt. He soon finds himself talking to rookie prosecutor Jule Andergast (Luise von Finckh), who is tasked by her boss, D.A. Corrina Steck (Melika Foroutan) to review Basher's file for clues to his death. After uncovering unexpected evidence that challenges the details surrounding the case, the two realize that they may be dealing with a conspiracy that is bigger and more dangerous than they ever thought.
Is It Any Good?
This intense thriller offers viewers a solid story world in which a variety of plot lines come together in a complicated crime investigation. The stories surrounding a potential government conspiracy aren't particularly original, but they create spaces in which racism, trauma, and mental illness become important, and fuel some of the unexpected twists that take place. Meanwhile, Mike Atlas is an interesting character, and allows viewers to to witness (if not fully understand) the far-reaching impact trauma has on those who have experienced it. Overall, if you're looking for a well-produced crime story that offers an entertaining slow burn, Sleeping Dog is worth streaming.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. What can cause it? Why do people experience it differently?
How does Sleeping Dog approach social issues like mental illness and racism? What messages does it send about their impact on society?
TV Details
- Premiere date : June 22, 2023
- Cast : Max Riemelt , Luise von Finckh , Melika Foroutan
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- TV rating :
- Last updated : February 27, 2024
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate