Dogtooth 2009
Dogtooth (2009), the chilling debut feature from Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos, plunges viewers into a claustrophobic nightmare where reality is weaponized.
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Cast
Christos Stergioglou
Father
Michele Valley
Mother
Hristos Passalis
Son
Angeliki Papoulia
Older Daughter
Mary Tsoni
Younger Daughter
Anna Kalaitzidou
Christina
Steve Krikris
Colleague
Sissi Petropoulou
Secretary
Alexander Voulgaris
Dog Trainer
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dogtooth (2009) about?
Dogtooth follows three sheltered teenagers living under their parents' extreme control, where everyday words are redefined to erase the outside world. Their isolated existence spirals into psychological warfare as the family's warped logic clashes with their budding curiosity.
Who directed Dogtooth?
Dogtooth was directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, the acclaimed Greek filmmaker known for his surreal and unsettling explorations of human behavior.
Who stars in Dogtooth?
The film features Christos Stergioglou, Michele Valley, Hristos Passalis, Angeliki Papoulia, and Mary Tsoni in the central roles.
Is Dogtooth (2009) worth watching?
Dogtooth is a must-watch for fans of psychological thrillers and arthouse cinema, praised for its bold storytelling and unsettling atmosphere. While not mainstream, its sharp critique of control and identity makes it a memorable experience.
How long is Dogtooth?
Dogtooth has a runtime of 98 minutes.
🎥 Trailer
About Dogtooth (2009) — How a family's twisted rules rewrite the world
Dogtooth (2009), the chilling debut feature from Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos, plunges viewers into a claustrophobic nightmare where reality is weaponized. Set in a secluded country estate shrouded in isolation, the film follows three teenagers whose parents have deliberately warped their perception of the outside world. Through bizarre homemade tapes, the family constructs an entirely private language where 'zombies' become yellow flowers and 'the sea' is merely a large armchair. The siblings' only escape—an imaginary brother they claim was cast out for defiance—serves as a twisted coping mechanism for their suffocating existence. Lanthimos crafts a surreal, darkly humorous atmosphere that critiques authoritarian control and the fragility of truth.
With its deadpan delivery and unsettling visuals, Dogtooth (2009) lingers like a fever dream, blurring the lines between obedience and madness. The film's themes of indoctrination and familial tyranny resonate as much as its absurdist tone, making it a standout in contemporary arthouse cinema. Shot through with icy precision, the story's tension builds toward a climax that forces both characters and audience to question what's real—and who gets to decide.
