The Dogs (2025) by Valerie Buhagiar: A Supernatural Farmhouse Nightmare

Movie Summary: Escaping One Hell for Another

"The Dogs" is a 2025 Canadian supernatural horror-thriller film, approximately 90 minutes in duration, directed by Valerie Buhagiar. Known for her nuanced character studies and atmospheric storytelling in films like Mouthpiece and Carmen, Buhagiar ventures into the horror genre with this chilling tale. The film is based on the novel by Allan Stratton, with the screenplay co-written by Anthony Artibello and Sheila Dinsmore.

The story follows a young teen named Cameron Weaver (Donovan Colan) and his mother, who are forced to flee their home after escaping his abusive and psychotic father. Seeking refuge and a fresh start, they move to a remote, isolated farmhouse. However, their new sanctuary quickly transforms into a living nightmare. Cameron begins experiencing terrifying visions and hearing haunting howls at night, realizing that the property is plagued not only by a pack of ferocious, potentially supernatural dogs but also by sinister spirits that haunt the land. As the strange occurrences escalate, Cameron must uncover the dark secrets of the farmhouse and confront the terrifying truths before they consume him and his mother, potentially revealing a connection to his own troubled past.

"The Dogs" promises to be a psychological horror film that blends the tension of a home invasion thriller with the dread of a supernatural haunting, exploring themes of trauma, family legacy, and the inescapable nature of fear.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7873304/

About movie: https://wildmediaent.com/project/the-dogs/, https://valeriebuhagiar.com/the-dogs-directed-valerie-buhagiar

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-dogs-2025 (US), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/the-dogs-2025 (Canada)

Detailed Summary: The Haunting Howls of the Past

A Chilling Descent into a Haunted Rural Refuge. Valerie Buhagiar's foray into horror with "The Dogs" suggests a character-driven approach to the genre, focusing on the psychological impact of terror.

• The Escape and Seeking Refuge: The film sets up a compelling initial premise: a mother and son on the run from a dangerous family situation. This immediate sense of vulnerability and desperation makes their search for a safe haven emotionally resonant.

• The Isolated Farmhouse: The chosen setting, a remote and seemingly idyllic farmhouse, serves as a classic horror trope that quickly turns sinister. Its isolation amplifies the characters' helplessness as the supernatural threats manifest.

• Cameron's Torment: The narrative focuses heavily on Cameron's experiences. He's not just a witness to the horror; he's directly affected, experiencing visions and unexplained phenomena that blur the line between reality and hallucination. This suggests a strong psychological component to the horror, questioning what is real and what is a manifestation of his trauma.

• The Dual Threat: The film presents a dual threat: the physical menace of the "ferocious dogs" (which may be more than just ordinary canines, possibly spectral or demonically influenced) and the "sinister spirits" haunting the property. This combination creates a multi-layered sense of dread.

• Unraveling Secrets: As the haunting intensifies, Cameron is driven to investigate the farmhouse's dark past. This detective-like element allows for the gradual revelation of the property's history, likely involving previous tragedies or dark deeds that tie into the current hauntings.

• Themes of Trauma and Legacy: Buhagiar's past work often delves into complex emotional landscapes. Here, the horror seems to be intertwined with the characters' trauma from their past and the idea that the "haunting" might be connected to, or even exacerbated by, their own psychological wounds or family history. The phrase "confront the truth about his own father" suggests a link between the personal and the supernatural.

• Atmospheric Tension: The director is expected to use sound design (the "haunting howls"), cinematography (capturing the isolation and dread of the farmhouse), and pacing to build a pervasive sense of fear rather than relying solely on jump scares.

Plot Summary: No Escape from the Past

• A young teen, Cameron, and his mother escape his abusive father and seek refuge in an isolated farmhouse.

• Their new home quickly becomes a nightmare as Cameron experiences visions and hears strange howls, realizing the property is haunted by ferocious dogs and sinister spirits.

• As the supernatural occurrences escalate, Cameron must uncover the dark secrets of the farmhouse's past, which seem intertwined with his own family's history.

• The film is a psychological horror where a mother and son fight for survival against both external supernatural forces and their internal demons.

Director's Vision: Valerie Buhagiar's Human-Centric Approach to Horror

To Explore Trauma and Resilience Through the Lens of Supernatural Terror. Valerie Buhagiar's directorial style often emphasizes character depth and emotional realism, even within genre constraints.

• Emotional Core: Her vision for "The Dogs" likely centers on the emotional journey of Cameron and his mother, making their fear and struggle for survival deeply relatable. The horror serves to amplify their existing trauma.

• Atmosphere and Psychological Dread: Rather than overt gore, Buhagiar is expected to prioritize building a pervasive sense of dread and unease, focusing on psychological horror that blurs the lines of reality.

• Subtle Supernatural Elements: While supernatural, the horror may unfold in a way that allows for ambiguity, questioning whether some events are supernatural or manifestations of the characters' psychological states.

• Beyond the Scare: Like her previous works, "The Dogs" likely uses the genre framework to explore deeper themes of family, abuse, the weight of the past, and the resilience of the human spirit.

• Local Canadian Talent: As a Canadian filmmaker, Buhagiar typically champions Canadian talent, ensuring a strong cast and crew from the region.

Themes: Trauma & Healing, Family Secrets, Isolation, Fear & Paranoia, and The Supernatural's Connection to Reality

The Unshakeable Echoes of Past Violence.

• Trauma and Healing: The characters' flight from an abusive father directly sets up a theme of past trauma and the difficult, often horrifying, journey towards healing.

• Family Secrets and Legacy: The farmhouse's dark past and its connection to Cameron's own family history suggest a theme of inherited burdens and the lingering impact of ancestral or personal secrets.

• Isolation: The remote farmhouse setting emphasizes the characters' isolation, both physically from the outside world and emotionally within their own struggles.

• Fear and Paranoia: The psychological horror elements delve into how fear can distort reality and how paranoia can consume those under immense pressure.

• The Supernatural's Connection to Reality: The film explores the idea that supernatural forces might be manifestations or amplifications of real-world violence, trauma, and psychological states.

Key Success Factors: Established Director, Compelling Premise, and Strong Cast

• Valerie Buhagiar's Direction: Her reputation for nuanced storytelling and character development brings a unique sensibility to the horror genre.

• Intriguing Premise: The blend of psychological drama, family trauma, and supernatural horror (especially with menacing dogs) offers a compelling hook.

• Solid Cast: Featuring experienced actors like Kathleen Munroe and Kris Holden-Ried, alongside young talent like Donovan Colan, promises strong performances.

• Timely Themes: The exploration of trauma, abuse, and the search for refuge resonates with contemporary anxieties.

• Established Novel Source: Being based on a novel by Allan Stratton suggests a well-developed storyline.

Awards & Nominations: Early Festival Success for a Canadian Feature

Despite its 2025 release date, "The Dogs" has already garnered significant attention and awards from Canadian film festivals in late 2023 and early 2024, prior to its wider theatrical and VOD release.

• Montreal Independent Film Festival (Fall seasonal competition 2023):

  • Winner: Best Female Director (Valerie Buhagiar).

  • Winner: Award-winning Canadian Feature (The Dogs).

• Female Eye Film Festival (Toronto) 2024:

  • Winner: Best Canadian Feature.

• 2025 Screen Nova Scotia Awards Gala:

  • Winner: Outstanding Performance Award (Donovan Colan) for his role in "The Dogs."

Summary: "The Dogs" has already achieved notable success on the Canadian festival circuit, earning Best Female Director for Valerie Buhagiar and Best Canadian Feature awards from the Montreal Independent Film Festival and the Female Eye Film Festival, respectively. Donovan Colan also received an Outstanding Performance Award for his role.

Critics' Reception: Tense, Visually Inspired, and Thematically Resonant

While widespread critical reviews following its commercial release are pending, early festival reception and insights from the director suggest a well-crafted and thematically rich horror film.

• Visual Inspiration: Director Valerie Buhagiar revealed that she used Andrew Wyeth paintings as a template for the present-day footage and Norman Rockwell for the flashbacks, indicating a strong visual aesthetic that blends realism with an unsettling quality. She also aimed to age the protagonist, Cameron, visually to make him resemble the ghost by the film's end.

• Intertwining Elements: Buhagiar was drawn to the script for its "intertwining of elements," including the mother/son relationship, the ghost, the house as a character, and the constant presence of dogs, all contributing to the film's atmosphere.

• Thematic Depth: Beyond the haunting elements, the film is noted for addressing the "danger in domestic violence and how it can ricochet and damage children," underscoring a vital social commentary within the horror framework. Buhagiar emphasized the importance of telling this story to highlight the need to stop domestic violence.

• Empathy and Fear: The director aimed to create a character with "unusual gravitas that brings empathy and fear," suggesting a nuanced approach to the protagonist's emotional journey.

Summary: Early reception for "The Dogs" points to a visually distinctive and emotionally resonant horror film. Critics and the director highlight its strong thematic undercurrents, particularly concerning domestic violence, blended with a tense, supernatural narrative and character-driven performances, all crafted with a unique visual inspiration.

Reviews: A Farmhouse Haunted by the Past and Domestic Violence

Reviews describe "The Dogs" as a supernatural thriller centered on a mother and son seeking refuge from a dark past, only to find themselves in a new, equally terrifying one.

• Plot: The story follows Cameron Weaver, a young teen, and his mother, Katherine, as they go on the run from Cameron's estranged and potentially violent father. They settle in an old, isolated farmhouse in a small rural town.

• Haunted House and Mysterious Visions: Upon arriving, Cameron begins to experience unsettling visions and hears things that defy explanation. He encounters Jacky, a boy who appears to be from the 1960s, suggesting a connection to the farmhouse's past.

• Dark History and Murder Mystery: Cameron soon discovers that the farmhouse has a dark history, including the violent deaths of its former owners. Unable to shake the visions, he attempts to solve the mystery and a murder, which ultimately leads him to uncover disturbing truths about his own past.

• Themes of Trauma and Domestic Violence: The film explores how the trauma of domestic violence can "ricochet and damage children," manifesting not only psychologically but also potentially through the supernatural elements of the haunting. The presence of "ferocious dogs" is also mentioned, possibly symbolizing an ever-present threat or a manifestation of the past's violence.

• Cast: The film stars Donovan Colan as Cameron, Kathleen Munroe as his mother, and Stuart Hughes. Kristen Holden-Ried and Asher Grayson are also part of the cast.

Summary: "The Dogs" follows Cameron and his mother, Katherine, as they escape his estranged father and seek refuge in an old farmhouse with a dark past. Cameron soon experiences unsettling visions, including a boy from the 1960s, leading him to uncover a murder mystery and confronting the truth about his own disturbing history, all while the film implicitly addresses the damaging effects of domestic violence.

Why to recommend movie: For a Subtly Terrifying and Emotionally Resonant Horror Story

A Deeply unsettling film that explores the lingering shadows of trauma and the terrors that lurk both within and without.

• If you enjoy psychological horror: The film focuses on the mental unraveling and internal struggles of its characters alongside supernatural threats.

• For Fans of Atmospheric Thrillers: Valerie Buhagiar's direction promises to build tension through mood and unsettling visuals rather than relying on jump scares.

• If You Appreciate Character-Driven Horror: The film is rooted in the emotional journey of a mother and son dealing with past trauma.

• To Support Independent Canadian Cinema: Buhagiar is a significant voice in Canadian film, and this is an opportunity to see her work in a new genre.

• For a Unique Take on Farmhouse Horror: It offers a fresh blend of family drama, home invasion, and supernatural elements.

• If You Seek a Film with Deeper Themes: Beyond the scares, it explores the impact of abuse, the nature of fear, and the search for safety.

Movie Trend: Elevated Horror & Trauma-Informed Narratives

Genre Films That Explore Deeper Human Conditions. "The Dogs" fits squarely into the trend of "elevated horror", where films use genre conventions to explore profound themes and deliver more psychological and emotional impact. It also aligns with the growing trend of trauma-informed narratives in film, particularly in horror, where the supernatural or terrifying events serve as metaphors for, or are directly linked to, characters' unresolved psychological trauma or past abuse. This allows for a more nuanced and resonant horror experience.

Social Trend: Domestic Abuse Awareness, Safe Havens, and The Psychological Impact of Fear

Reflecting Real-World Vulnerabilities in a Fictional Nightmare. The film directly resonates with several contemporary social trends:

• Domestic Abuse Awareness: The premise highlights the reality of domestic violence and the urgent need for victims to escape dangerous situations.

• Search for Safe Havens: The characters' quest for a remote farmhouse reflects a universal human desire for security and a place of refuge, especially for those fleeing trauma.

• The Psychological Impact of Fear: The film delves into how fear, both from past experiences and current threats, c

Final Verdict: "The Dogs (2025)" is a Gripping and Atmospheric Horror Film

Valerie Buhagiar's "The Dogs (2025)" is a compelling and unsettling supernatural horror-thriller that showcases her strength in character-driven storytelling within a new genre. By intertwining the psychological scars of a family fleeing abuse with the literal haunting of a remote farmhouse, the film promises a deeply resonant and terrifying experience. Led by strong performances, particularly from Donovan Colan, it explores themes of trauma, survival, and the inescapable nature of the past. Having received a limited theatrical and VOD release in June 2025, "The Dogs" is a recommended watch for those seeking a thoughtful, atmospheric, and genuinely unsettling horror film that explores the profound connections between human suffering and the supernatural.