DAWN OF THE DOGMAN (2025)

 

For those intrigued by Michigan’s legendary Dogman, or really for anyone with an abiding interest in cryptids generally, Seth Breedlove’s new doc is something of a must-see. At a perfectly paced 77 minutes, DAWN OF THE DOGMAN never overstays its welcome and covers its subject with just the right mix of depth and breadth.

Is it the definitive film about this bipedal canine whose legend has grown steadily over the past few decades? Possibly. I’m not enough of an expert to weigh in on that, but it certainly feels like it could be. And that speaks to a key part of what works here: the script nicely balances how it serves audience segments by offering a lot for both Dogman veterans (fans?) and total newbies. For the former, who may already be familiar with some of these sightings, there are many new and compelling eyewitness interviews; for the latter, there’s plenty of thoughtful context, including both historical and geographical looks at Michigan that are interesting in their own right.       

What should unite all camps in their enjoyment, though, is the deep and pervasive sense of mystery that’s present. While all the everyday Michiganders and well-known researchers and journalists speak in tones hushed or awestruck, and while all the b-roll footage of dense and dark woods loops and lopes, a chill descends on the viewer. You’ll find yourself responding to the cumulative weight of all the testimonies, the evocative visuals, and the laidback narration. You’ll be drawn in, and you’ll feel something—perhaps the same feeling that originally drew you to cryptids and the unknown more broadly.  

Could a few creative choices have been reconsidered? Sure. The AI-generated opening, while thoughtfully done for AI, strikes the wrong note in terms of both credibility and aesthetics. And do some of the stunning, comics-style graphics repeat themselves twenty or thirty minutes after their first appearance? Again yes, and I’m guessing that’s a function of the film’s limited, crowdfunded budget. These are minor quibbles, however, in the face of what’s certainly an impressive achievement relative to its modest means. Breedlove has apparently made several docs along these lines, so now you’ll have to excuse me as I busy myself seeking them out...

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DAWN OF THE DOGMAN is currently streaming on Apple TV, Prime Video and Google Play.