Dog of God
| Dog of God | |
|---|---|
International release poster | |
| Directed by | Lauris Ābele Raitis Ābele |
| Written by | Lauris Ābele Raitis Ābele Ivo Briedis Harijs Grundmanis |
| Produced by | Kristele Pudane Giovanni Labadessa |
| Starring | Regnārs Vaivars Einars Repše Kristians Kareļins |
| Cinematography | Mārcis Ābele |
| Edited by | Lauris Ābele Raitis Ābele |
| Music by | Lauris Ābele |
Production companies | Tritone Studio Lumiere Lab |
| Distributed by | Media Move |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 92 minutes |
| Countries | Latvia United States |
| Languages | Latvian German |
| Budget | €720,000[1] |
Dog of God (Latvian: Dieva suns) is a 2025 adult animated comedy horror film[2] co-written, edited and directed by Lauris and Raitis Ābele.[3] Based on the true story of Thiess of Kaltenbrun, a man convicted of heresy who calls himself a werewolf,[4] the film is a joint Latvian-American co-production[5] starring Regnārs Vaivars, Einars Repše and Kristians Kareļins.[6][7]
Dog of God had its world premiere at the 24th Tribeca Film Festival on June 6, 2025, in the Escape from Tribeca section.[8] It was selected as the Latvian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.[9]
Synopsis
In the 17th-century Livonian village of Zaube, the shepherd sends the maid to trial for witchcraft. There, a man named Thiess proclaims himself a werewolf, one with roots in Latvian folklore, close to a demented shaman. The moment this tension reaches its peak will forever change the village and its surviving inhabitants.[10]
Cast
The actors participating in this film are:[11]
- Regnārs Vaivars as Buchholtz
- Einars Repše as Thiess
- Jurģis Spulenieks as Klibis
- Agate Krista as Neze
- Kristians Kareļins
- Armands Berģis
Production
Principal photography took place between 2022 and 2023 at the Riga School of Media and Arts studio in Latvia.[1]
Release
Dog of God had its world premiere on June 6, 2025, at the 24th Tribeca Film Festival in the Escape from Tribeca section,[12] then screened on July 21, 2025, at the 29th Fantasia International Film Festival,[13] on August 7, 2025, at the Octopus Film Festival,[14] and on August 22, 2025, at the FrightFest.[15] ESC Films acquired the French theatrical rights.[16]
The film had a limited theatrical release on September 2, 2025, in Latvian theaters through Cinamon,[17] before expanding nationwide on October 16.[18]
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 86% of 22 critics' reviews are positive.[19]
See also
- List of submissions to the 98th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film
- List of Latvian submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film
References
- ^ a b Gabelia, Alexander. "PRODUCTION: Latvian Directors Raitis and Lauris Ābele in Postproduction with Latvian/American Dog of God". Film New Europe. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ Scary, Girl Thats (2025-06-12). "'Dog of God' Review: A Surreal Piece Of Horror Animation [Tribeca 2025]". Dread Central. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ Ciliberto, Kristin (2025-06-20). "Tribeca 2025: Dog of God | Interview with Lauris Abele & Raitis Abele". Film Fest Report. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ "Kino var būt viss, arī sapnis. Saruna par pieaugušo pasakas «Dieva suns» tapšanu". Latvijas Sabiedriskais medijs (in Latvian). Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ Požarska, Līga (2024-04-29). "Lauris and Raitis Ābele's upcoming Dog of God to take part in Cannes' Fantastic 7". Cineuropa. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ "Brāļu Ābeļu filma "Dieva suns" pasaules pirmizrādi piedzīvos prestižā festivālā Ņujorkā". Delfi.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ "Vilkači no Latvijas un filma, kurā piedalījās "puse" Rīgas. Kas gaidāms Kannu kinofestivālā". Delfi.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ Stephan, Katcy (2025-04-16). "Tribeca Festival's Film Lineup Includes Miley Cyrus' Visual Album Premiere and Films Starring Bryan Cranston and Allison Janney". Variety. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ "Latvia's submission for the "Best International Feature Oscar" - feature animation "Dog of God"". National Film Center of Latvia.
- ^ "Dog of God". Tribeca Film Festival. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ Gajewski, Ryan (2025-06-03). "Animated Werewolf Movie 'Dog of God' Debuts Wild Trailer With Hitler Look-Alike Getting Tortured (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ Milligan, Mercedes (2025-04-16). "Tribeca Festival Program Spotlights Three Animated Features". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ "Dog of God". Fantasia International Film Festival. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ Festiwal, Octopus Film. "Octopus Film Festiwal". Octopus Film Festiwal (in Polish). Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ Mitchell, Oliver (2025-08-15). "Werewolf Trial Sparks Hellbound Chaos in 'Dog of God' UK Premiere". Love Horror. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (2025-05-16). "Tribeca Title 'Dog of God' Acquired For France As Media Move Launches Sales – Cannes Market". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ "Dieva suns". Cinamon Liepaja BALLE (in Latvian). Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ "Balstīta patiesos notikumos: animācijas filma "Dieva suns" pirmizrādi Latvijā piedzīvos 16. oktobrī". TV3 (in Latvian). 2025-07-18. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ "Dog of God". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2025-08-30.