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Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight

Play trailer 2:09 Poster for Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight R Now Playing 1h 38m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 59 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
"Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight" thrusts us into the tumultuous world of 8-year-old Bobo, whose childhood unfolds on her family's Rhodesian farm, now Zimbabwe, as the Bush War rages to its bitter end. Set against this violent backdrop, and seen through her eyes, we witness the family's desperate attachment to Africa's soil and the deep, festering scars of a war that reshapes both land and soul.
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Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight

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Critics Consensus

Tackling thorny themes with fierce intelligence and a wonderful performance by Lexi Venter, Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight is a striking feature debut from writer-director Embeth Davidtz.

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Audience Says

Anchored by an immersive performance by Lexi Venter, handles disturbing themes with authenticity and cinematic elegance, delivering an emotionally resonant adaptation of the source memoir.

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Critics Reviews

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Peter Debruge Variety Precisely the sort of intelligent, human-scale adult drama audiences insist no one makes anymore. Aug 25, 2025 Full Review Ryan Lattanzio IndieWire The grand takeaway is Venter’s astonishing turn. That kid’s got a future, and it began with a filmmaker who knew how to direct her. Rated: B Aug 5, 2025 Full Review Ty Burr Washington Post Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight manages the difficult trick of getting us to care for the Fullers while saving our sympathy for the Zimbabweans. Rated: 3/4 Jul 30, 2025 Full Review Fletcher Powell KMUW - Wichita Public Radio If you’re the sort of person who’s able to manage a nearly constant stream of dissonant feelings, you’re likely to get a lot out of Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight, which is largely excellent, and never easy. Aug 28, 2025 Full Review Carla Hay Culture Mix This biographical drama sometimes wanders with repetition. However, it's a memorable portrayal of the generational poison of racism and how a 7-year-old white girl processes it during 1980's political turmoil in Zimbabwe. Aug 21, 2025 Full Review Lisa Trifone Third Coast Review Davidtz manages to offer a deeply personal take on these historical events without marginalizing or sidelining those who were driving the country's future forward. Rated: 3/4 Aug 7, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Lena Story line, actresses, emotional, realistic Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/04/25 Full Review Andrea amazing acting, story and directing. loved it! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/27/25 Full Review Shabani1976 Can tell it was made in Southern Africa, realistic depiction of a little known period in time. Love that its told from the eyes of child because its impartial and honest. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/27/25 Full Review Meloney Excellent movie told from a child’s perspective about the end of apartheid in Rhodesia. It seemed realistic. At times, it was hard to watch. The acting was very good. Would recommend. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/26/25 Full Review Brian M This was an excellent story about the end of apartheid in Zimbabwe. I just found a little difficult at times during the film to understand the dialect. However, the performance of the actors in the film was excellent. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/23/25 Full Review JULIA M Loved the movie. Amazing acting by the little girl Lexi Venter! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/23/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight

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Movie Info

Synopsis "Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight" thrusts us into the tumultuous world of 8-year-old Bobo, whose childhood unfolds on her family's Rhodesian farm, now Zimbabwe, as the Bush War rages to its bitter end. Set against this violent backdrop, and seen through her eyes, we witness the family's desperate attachment to Africa's soil and the deep, festering scars of a war that reshapes both land and soul.
Director
Embeth Davidtz
Producer
Helena Spring, Paul Buys, Embeth Davidtz
Screenwriter
Embeth Davidtz
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co
Rose and Oaks Media
Rating
R (Violent/Bloody Images|Language|Some Underage Smoking/Drinking|Sexual Assault)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 11, 2025, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA)
$572.5K
Runtime
1h 38m