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Alpha Dog

Play trailer Poster for Alpha Dog R 2007 1h 58m Drama Crime Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
54% Tomatometer 142 Reviews 67% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Teenage dealer Johnny Truelove (Emile Hirsch) and his friends kidnap the impressionable younger brother (Anton Yelchin) of a junkie (Ben Foster) who refuses to pay his drug debt. Things change unexpectedly when Frankie (Justin Timberlake), one of Johnny's pals, befriends the youth.
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Alpha Dog

Alpha Dog

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Critics Consensus

A glossy yet unflinching portrait of violent, hedonistic teenagers. Bruce Willis and Sharon Stone chew the scenery, while Justin Timberlake gives a noteworthy performance.

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Critics Reviews

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Derek Malcolm London Evening Standard Apr 20, 2007
3/5
Its originality lies in the fact that it depicts white middle-class kids on the loose, calling their women bitches and listening endlessly to violent, misogynist and homophobic black rap. Go to Full Review Anthony Quinn Independent (UK) Apr 20, 2007
3/5
Nick Cassavetes' film combines an aimless ramble through juvenile depravity in the affluent suburbs of LA and a quite disturbing evocation of the true-life murder of an adolescent boy in 1999. Go to Full Review Tim Robey Daily Telegraph (UK) Apr 20, 2007
You know you're in trouble the second you take a look at Bruce Willis's fake liver spots. Go to Full Review Jeff Meyers Metro Times (Detroit, MI) Nov 6, 2010
C-
This inspired-by-reality tale is essentially an emotional snuff film. It's the kind of misguided effort a middle-aged director indulges in when he wants to reinvent himself as edgy. Go to Full Review Brian Marder Hollywood.com Nov 20, 2008
3/5
Jim Lane Sacramento News & Review Aug 7, 2008
3/5
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Audience Reviews

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Keisha M. @RT51425514 Jun 27, 2026 Loved it!!! Very sad...based on a true story. See more andrea c @Charst Feb 23, 2026 Film estremamente sottovalutato, forse a causa del montaggio e della regia che lo avvicinano ad un teen drama, ma che in realtà, ad uno sguardo attento, riescono a costruire perfettamente il contesto in cui si svolgono i fatti. Un dramma vero sfociato da una serie paradossale di avvenimenti che portano ad un epilogo terribile e crudo, dopo aver ottimamente costruito tutti i personaggi utili al racconto, dandogli vita e spessore anche grazie all'immenso cast a disposizione. Sono davvero pochi i difetti presenti in questo film, forse qualche momento di eccessiva confusione, che però, riporta sempre alla costruzione del contesto che in realtà viene in maniera pressoché perfetta. Resta solo il dubbio sulla fine di uno dei protagonisti, ossia il fratello interpretato da Ben Forster, colpevolmente lasciato in sospeso. See more Ryan R. @RBRShortFilms13 Feb 8, 2026 One of greatest and most underrated films of the 21st century. This is one of those rare films that have stayed with me for almost 2 decades. The film is intense, suspenseful, and tragic. It’s a true story, not fiction. Some of the best cinematography, film editing, acting, and directing I’ve seen for a film. 10/10 See more kevenquinlan T @RT75276071 Sep 3, 2025 1st time viewing in 2025. An easy add to your collection. Foster's character was SO over the top, it was a bit comical- but otherwise a really great movie and well acted. Oh, I've been around rich kids and this is really on the mark- they have the innocence of normal kids but that affluence tends to give them delusions of grandeur and here, to ill effect. Glad all the evil ones got what they deserved. See more thiago s @Thiagostone Jan 29, 2025 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, os atores podem ser bons, mas as cenas e a história deixam o filme bem fraco. See more Ant O @RT19973323 Nov 13, 2024 A ramshackle confused spoilt group of kids with delusions of gangster turn into them before your eyes but remain resolutely kids. The film nicely treats guns as a big deal not just a cartoon cap in your ass Tarantino style. As the film is cranked up to its final shocking scene you only wish it all wasnt so true. Brilliant and the party scenes took me back, thankfully nothing else. See more Read all reviews
Alpha Dog

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Cast & Crew

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Nick Cassavetes

Director

Bruce Willis

Sonny Truelove

Emile Hirsch

Johnny Truelove

Justin Timberlake

Frankie Ballenbacher

Ben Foster

Jake Mazursky

Shawn Hatosy

Elvis Schmidt

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Alpha Dog

A scene from the film "Alpha Dog." A scene from the film "Alpha Dog." A scene from the film "Alpha Dog." A scene from the film "Alpha Dog." A scene from the film "Alpha Dog." A scene from the film "Alpha Dog." A scene from the film "Alpha Dog." A scene from the film "Alpha Dog." A scene from the film "Alpha Dog." A scene from the film "Alpha Dog." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Teenage dealer Johnny Truelove (Emile Hirsch) and his friends kidnap the impressionable younger brother (Anton Yelchin) of a junkie (Ben Foster) who refuses to pay his drug debt. Things change unexpectedly when Frankie (Justin Timberlake), one of Johnny's pals, befriends the youth.
Director
Nick Cassavetes
Producer
Sidney Kimmel, Chuck Pacheco
Screenwriter
Nick Cassavetes
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Sidney Kimmel Entertainment
Rating
R (Nudity|Language|Pervasive Drug Use|Sexuality|Strong Violence)
Genre
Drama, Crime
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 12, 2007, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 8, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$15.2M
Runtime
1h 58m
Sound Mix
Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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