"Strays" Unleashes R-Rated Raunch on Dog Film Genre

On the dog-eat-dog world of Hollywood, a new canine contender has stepped into the ring like never before, with Universal Pictures' latest release, "Strays." The film, which hit the screens on August 18, 2023, is characterized as a raunchy, R-rated take on the well-trodden dog genre. For decades, Hollywood has maintained a loving and wholesome relationship with dogs-centered films. From evergreen classics like Lassie and Rin Tin Tin to recent successes like A Dog’s Purpose, dog movies have invariably portrayed the endearing side of man’s best friend. But Strays is changing the game.

Describing "Strays" as an "irresistible" and "raunchy" deviation from the norm, critics draw parallels to Ted and believe the movie harmonizes the audaciousness of Seth Rogen’s brand with a meaningful storyline. The film’s charm is derived from its unique take on the canine world, brimming with crude humor, bad words, and - hold your breath - nonstop references to canine copulatory behaviors.

"Strays" takes us on an adventure with Reggie, a Border Terrier voiced by Will Ferrell, who unearths his human, Doug's (Will Forte), deplorable nature and plots a lesson he will never forget. Reggie’s transformation from a naive city stray to a street-smart dog is facilitated by Bug, a rough-talking Boston Terrier portrayed by Jamie Foxx. The cast also features a smart, sidelined Australian Shepherd (voiced by Isla Fisher) and a nervous, cone-clad Great Dane named Hunter (voiced by Randall Park). The story takes an uproarious turn as Reggie and his friends embark on a journey that involves outrageous plans, hilarious sequences, and enough bathroom humor to last a lifetime.

"Strays" is the brainchild of Dan Perrault, who has not only penned the screenplay but also shown his prowess in animation by not losing sight of the emotional connect despite an overwhelming array of crude jokes. Josh Greenbaum has directed the film, while Phil Lord, Chris Miller, Erik Feig, Aditya Sood, Louis Letterier and Perrault have produced it.

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And now, let me fetch you my doggone hilarious and admittedly biased take on Strays, the adult cartoon that has shaken up our wholesome, warm, and adorable canine universe.

Now, I’m not one to turn my nose up at a pooch parade, but Strays prove that dirty dogs can undoubtedly get their day, too. It seems that Universal Pictures fetched a bone and ended up digging up an R-rated goldmine. Combining the grit of ‘Ted’ and Seth Rogen’s brand of humor with a storyline akin to A Dog’s Purpose may seem like a bizarre mongrel of a mix, but somehow it works.

Using a powerhouse lineup of voices that would even make a seasoned squirrel chaser stop in its tracks, Strays serves up a flavorful dog's dinner of comedic talent. Heck, Will Ferrell’s Reggie is more misguided than a chihuahua in a Great Dane’s body, and Jamie Foxx's Bug is as street-smart as a mutt from the Bronx.

Speaking of pet tales, is there a type of doggie dialogue that hasn’t been marked and ‘ok, we get it,’ sniffed at for being too generic? Well, Dan Perrault sure did find it in the gutter. But here's the catch - bursting at the seams with so much fun that you'd forget you're chuckling at doggie diction.

Strays might enter your mental doghouse as a crass canine comedy, but by the time the end credits roll, you’ll realize the film ends on a tender pet paw-note. The filmmakers have shaken up the conventional dog movie tropes and unleashed on the audiences a unique breed of cinematic experience: audaciously loud, hilariously crude, somewhat muttley but - like your favorite puppy - entirely irresistible.

In a nutshell, with its caustic puppy-potty humor and unconventional approach, Strays fetches a spot into the hall of fame of dog films and ceremoniously pees on it - marking its territory proudly. The general viewer may walk in expecting a run-of-the-mill dog movie but walks out of the theater realizing humor is a dog’s life too - and perhaps we humans have been barking up the wrong tree all these years.