‘Dog of God’ Review: A Surreal Piece Of Horror Animation [Tribeca 2025]
I caught Lauris and Raitis Abeles’ Dog of God at Tribeca, and it was an unforgettable experience. I love it when the genre is explored through animation. Films like The Spine of Night, Mad God, Seoul Station, The Wolf House, and Perfect Blue have a unique aesthetic perfect for striking fear in viewers. Whether it’s striking animation that pushes beyond the constraints of reality, haunting imagery, imaginative cinematography, or masterful sound design, animated horror always gives viewers something to remember. Dog of God uses many of these elements to tell the story of a woman accused of witchcraft in a 17th-century Swedish Livonian village.
The plot also incorporates werewolves, alchemy, betrayal, and how religion can warp one’s mind. The film floats between being adjacent to reality to flying off the hinges in a very surreal way. As the movie progressed, I shifted from being intrigued, bewildered, disgusted, and in awe. I’m still deciding how I feel about the movie overall, but it was a unique experience at the very least.
Dog of God does a great job of creating an atmosphere through rotoscope animation, which involves tracing over live-action footage. It gives the movie a realistic, yet stylized look, reminiscent of The Spine of Night.
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In a small village, rain is falling, and citizens are hunched over, filing into the church. We even see a young boy put his bare feet in feces, in what seems like an attempt to stay warm. The camera floats across a mural on the ceiling of the church (the most colorful thing in town) and down to a pastor preaching from the Old Testament. He is claiming that the rain is a warning from God, and death awaits the villagers if their sins continue. He specifies the sins happening in the town tavern owned by Neze (Agate Krista), who is later accused of witchcraft.
Dog of God paints a picture of villagers who have nothing but misery, alcohol, and the church, which is the perfect storm for a witch hunt. In contrast, a rich baron has come to the village, and he is one of the few people who isn’t quick to jump on the witch hunt bandwagon.
The film has parallels with other witch hunt movies like Witchfinder General and The Crucible: A woman does something out of the ordinary, and is accused of being a witch. There is always a catalyst that sparks the flames of accusation. In this case, a religious relic was stolen. The Pastor, who we learn sins in worse ways than those he condemns, is certain that Neze has taken the relic. Dog of God demonstrates how easy it is to turn someone into a scapegoat. No matter the evidence, he’s already convinced that she is guilty based on other actions he has deemed unholy, and this theft is a direct infraction against God. The relic is valued more than human life, although it is just a piece of straw.
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The pastor starts as the only person accusing Neze, but it spreads like a disease. People who once found comfort in the tavern begin to blame Neze for their problems. They took their misery and turned it against Neze. They sent her to her death for personal problems as small as a headache from drinking. When there isn’t much to look forward to, it’s easier to betray your neighbor. I appreciate that their betrayal backfires and alchemy prevails.
Dog of God also highlights Klibis’ journey as someone who knows nothing but God and religion. He is constantly told he has no value outside of what he does for god or the church, which is usually decided by the Pastor. As the film progresses, he finds his voice and begins to stand his ground as the Pastor reveals how out of touch he truly is with God.
I enjoyed how things dissolved into chaos, but the ending felt abrupt. The third act of the film is my favorite part. The pacing makes the film drag in the middle, but the church scene is sure to jolt viewers back into the film if they disengaged. I do feel as though some time could have been shaved off. If you enjoyed the animation in The Spine of Night and period pieces, you should check out Dog of God. It’s a strange movie that makes me feel like I ate the mushroom that Klibis eats, but I can appreciate its distinct visuals and weird plot points.
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Dog of God
Summary
‘Dog of God’ is a surreal experience that feels like the mushroom trip from Hell.
Categorized: Reviews
