Is Things Like Dogs Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, Things Like Dogs is likely a skip if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 99 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
Things Like Dogs Review
Last updated: January 13, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2020, Things Like Dogs emerges as a significant entry in the Drama, Crime, Thriller, Family domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Choi Jong-goo used to be a popular troubleshooter. Unlike standard genre fare, Things Like Dogs 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 Choi Jong-hak, every scene is crafted to contribute to the atmospheric weight of the story, ensuring that the Drama elements serve the larger narrative arc rather than just providing spectacle.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass in Character Study
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Things Like Dogs features a noteworthy lineup led by Ji Dae-han. Supported by the likes of Jung Yoon-seo and Kim Seung-hyun, the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
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 Ji Dae-han, Jung Yoon-seo, Kim Seung-hyun 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 Drama, Crime, Thriller, Family space.
Directorial Vision & Technical Craftsmanship
From a technical perspective, Things Like Dogs 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.
Narrative Pacing & Structural Integrity
The structure of Things Like Dogs follows a sophisticated brisk pace. Over its 99 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.
Cultural Impact & Global Resonance
Beyond its immediate entertainment value, Things Like Dogs resonates with contemporary social and cultural themes prevalent in the Drama 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 4.5/10 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.
Plot Breakdown & Philosophical Subtext
Analyzing the plot deeper, Things Like Dogs is more than just its synopsis. It is an inquiry into the complexity of relationships. Choi Jong-goo used to be a popular troubleshooter. He is now a bully who lives in a market where merchants turn their backs on him. Jong-goo lives on alcohol and is very violent. His daughter uses bad language and violence against people around her. There are sexual violence cases involving minors around him and his daughter is also involved in the case. Jong-goo is accused of a crime. They're looking for a criminal who sexually assaulted his daughter. At this time, Soo-jin, a woman who lives in pain appears. The veiled Soo-jin is always an angel who does good things and protects children. And she feels unbearable anger towards those who do evil around her. How will Jong-goo and Soo-jin will solve this series of events?
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.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Things Like Dogs (2020) is overwhelmingly negative. With an audience rating of 4.5/10 and strong performance metrics in the Drama, Crime, Thriller, Family categories, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Whether you choose to experience it for the stellar performances from Ji Dae-han, Jung Yoon-seo, Kim Seung-hyun or the visual majesty of its technical execution, Things Like Dogs 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.
Where to Watch Things Like Dogs Online?
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Google Play MoviesParents Guide & Age Rating
Things Like Dogs has not been officially rated yet. However, due to its genre classification (Drama, Crime, Thriller, Family), viewers should expect mature themes, violence.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 4.5/10, and global collection metrics, Things Like Dogs stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2020 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Things Like Dogs movie hit or flop?
Things Like Dogs is considered a flop based on audience ratings of 4.5/10 and lower collections.
Is Things Like Dogs worth watching?
Based on the low rating of 4.5/10, Things Like Dogs may not be worth watching unless you are a die-hard fan.
Where can I watch Things Like Dogs online?
Things Like Dogs may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
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Synopsis
Choi Jong-goo used to be a popular troubleshooter. He is now a bully who lives in a market where merchants turn their backs on him. Jong-goo lives on alcohol and is very violent. His daughter uses bad language and violence against people around her. There are sexual violence cases involving minors around him and his daughter is also involved in the case. Jong-goo is accused of a crime. They're looking for a criminal who sexually assaulted his daughter. At this time, Soo-jin, a woman who lives in pain appears. The veiled Soo-jin is always an angel who does good things and protects children. And she feels unbearable anger towards those who do evil around her. How will Jong-goo and Soo-jin will solve this series of events?