Is Rescuing Rex Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, Rescuing Rex is likely a skip if you enjoy Documentary movies.
It features a runtime of 90 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.

Verdict:Rescuing Rex is a confirmed FLOP based on our analysis of audience ratings and box office momentum.
With a rating of 5.0/10, it has delivered a mixed experience for fans of the Documentary genre.
Answer: Maybe not, Rescuing Rex is likely a skip if you enjoy Documentary movies.
It features a runtime of 90 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Last updated: January 13, 2026
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2020, Rescuing Rex emerges as a significant entry in the Documentary domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Directed by award-winning documentary filmmaker Leora Eisen, TVO Original Rescuing Rex unearths provocative truths about a world-wide phenomenon—international dog adoptions. Unlike standard genre fare, Rescuing Rex attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
The screenplay, appearing to prioritize narrative momentum and immediate impact, sets a stage where the stakes feel personal yet universal. Under the directorial eye of Leora Eisen, every scene is crafted to contribute to the atmospheric weight of the story, ensuring that the Documentary elements serve the larger narrative arc rather than just providing spectacle.
The success of any Documentary is often anchored by its ensemble, and Rescuing Rex features a noteworthy lineup led by a group of dedicated performers.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes. However, the sheer charisma of manages to keep the audience invested through the film's more predictable sequences. In the broader context of 2020 cinema, these performances stand as a testament to the evolving standards of acting within the Documentary space.
From a technical perspective, Rescuing Rex is a marvel of 21st-century filmmaking. The cinematography, utilizing a moody and atmospheric color palette, significantly enhances the world-building aspects of the production. Each frame seems calculated to guide the viewer's emotional response, whether through wide, sweeping vistas or tight, claustrophobic close-ups that emphasize character isolation.
Technical Excellence: The production design and visual effects provide a solid foundation for the story, ensuring that the world of the film feels lived-in and authentic, even when the narrative logic falters. Furthermore, the sonic landscape—comprising both the score and sound design—adds a layer of subtextual narrative that rewards attentive viewers.
The structure of Rescuing Rex follows a sophisticated brisk pace. Over its 90 minute duration, the film manages to balance exposition with action in a way that remains consistently entertaining. The second act, often the most difficult to manage, serves here as a crucible for character growth, leading toward a climax that feels both inevitable and surprising.
Critically, the editing choices by the team help maintain a narrative tension that rarely wavers. The sharp, concise editing ensures that not a single frame is wasted, making the film ideal for a modern audience that values efficiency in storytelling.
Beyond its immediate entertainment value, Rescuing Rex resonates with contemporary social and cultural themes prevalent in the Documentary landscape of 2026. It addresses concepts such as the nature of heroism and personal legacy with a level of maturity that is often missing from major releases.
This cultural relevance is likely why it has garnered a 5/10 rating on our platform. Films like this bridge the gap between niche interest and global appeal, proving that stories rooted in specific human experiences can find a home with audiences worldwide, from the US and UK to India and beyond.
Analyzing the plot deeper, Rescuing Rex is more than just its synopsis. It is an inquiry into the boundaries of human experience. Directed by award-winning documentary filmmaker Leora Eisen, TVO Original Rescuing Rex unearths provocative truths about a world-wide phenomenon—international dog adoptions. A new social movement driven by a desire to do good, and fueled by irresistible puppy pics on Instagram, many millennials are bypassing breeders in favour of adopting homeless dogs from around the world. But what does this new trend mean for the animals, their caregivers and society? Told through the eyes of compelling human and canine characters, this film takes us from the mountains of Taiwan to the tarmac at Toronto’s airport, and from a rural kennel in Texas to an urban rooftop in Vancouver.
The philosophical underpinnings of the third act suggest a worldview that is standard for its genre yet executed with high professional polish. This is not just a commercial product; it is a piece of art that invites discussion long after the credits have finished rolling.
In summary, our editorial assessment of Rescuing Rex (2020) is overwhelmingly divisive. With an audience rating of 5/10 and strong performance metrics in the Documentary categories, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Whether you choose to experience it for the stellar performances from or the visual majesty of its technical execution, Rescuing Rex is a significant contribution to the cinema of 2020. It represents the kind of filmmaking that movieMx is proud to champion—original, bold, and ultimately, deeply human.
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Fandango At HomeAnalyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5/10, and global collection metrics, Rescuing Rex stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2020 cinematic year.
Rescuing Rex has received mixed reviews with a 5/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Rescuing Rex is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Documentary movies, but read reviews first.
Rescuing Rex is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. You can also check for it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads depending on your region.
Directed by award-winning documentary filmmaker Leora Eisen, TVO Original Rescuing Rex unearths provocative truths about a world-wide phenomenon—international dog adoptions. A new social movement driven by a desire to do good, and fueled by irresistible puppy pics on Instagram, many millennials are bypassing breeders in favour of adopting homeless dogs from around the world. But what does this new trend mean for the animals, their caregivers and society? Told through the eyes of compelling human and canine characters, this film takes us from the mountains of Taiwan to the tarmac at Toronto’s airport, and from a rural kennel in Texas to an urban rooftop in Vancouver.