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Think Like a Dog

Think Like a Dog is a science fiction comedy film written and directed by . The story follows 12-year-old tech prodigy , who accidentally creates a telepathic connection with his beloved dog after a middle-school experiment goes awry, allowing them to communicate mentally and tackle everyday challenges together. Starring as Oliver, as his father Lukas, and as his mother Ellen, the film also features in a supporting role and providing the voice for Henry. Gil Junger, known for directing 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), co-wrote the screenplay with , blending family dynamics, humor, and light-hearted adventure in a runtime of 91 minutes. Distributed by and released directly to digital and on-demand platforms on June 9, 2020, amid the , it emphasizes themes of friendship, ingenuity, and familial bonds. The film received mixed critical reception, earning a 70% approval rating on based on 10 reviews, with praise for its wholesome message and young lead performance but criticism for predictable plotting and occasional crude humor. It holds a rating for rude and suggestive material, making it suitable for families, particularly audiences aged 7 and older, and includes elements of potty humor alongside mild peril.

Plot and Cast

Plot Summary

Think Like a Dog centers on 12-year-old tech prodigy , whose middle-school project—a mind-reading device—goes awry after a bully sabotages it, embarrassing him in front of his crush, , and a talent scout. Desperate to redeem himself, Oliver enlists his Chinese , Xiao, to hack a and amplify the device's signal, inadvertently forging a permanent telepathic link with his loyal , Henry. This connection allows Oliver to hear Henry's unfiltered, canine thoughts, blending human logic with instinctual wisdom to tackle everyday hurdles. The duo's bond becomes instrumental in addressing Oliver's personal and family challenges. At school, Henry's straightforward insights help Oliver confront bullies and build self-confidence, turning potential defeats into triumphs, such as outsmarting antagonists during presentations. On the home front, the central conflict revolves around Oliver's parents, Lukas and , whose is crumbling amid Lukas's job offer in another city, threatening and family separation. Guided by Henry's optimistic, emotion-driven advice—often highlighting simple joys like and play—Oliver orchestrates a heartfelt scheme to reunite them. Comedic highlights emerge from the link's quirks, including Henry's blunt observations on human quirks (like scent-based judgments or impulsive behaviors), leading to moments such as "revenge poops" on bullies and witty inner monologues that expose Oliver's insecurities in humorous ways. Complicating matters, the hack triggers a alert from government agents, while school benefactor and tech entrepreneur Mr. Mills, who seeks to exploit the invention for corporate gain, kidnaps . Henry rallies a pack of neighborhood dogs for a chaotic rescue, overwhelming Mills with their antics in a scene filled with . In the resolution, leverages the telepathic synergy to excel at the , earning acclaim and a opportunity to a summer program, while successfully reconciling his parents by luring them to to their wedding song at the , solidifying family unity. The link remains active, continuing to support 's growth and affirming the value of their unique bond.

Cast and Characters

The film features as Oliver Reed, a 12-year-old tech prodigy and socially awkward genius whose inventive experiments form the emotional and comedic heart of the story, particularly through his deepening bond with his dog via their telepathic connection. Bateman, known for child roles in films like Lights Out and , brings a relatable vulnerability to Oliver, highlighting the character's growth in navigating family and social challenges. The loyal Henry, Oliver's best friend, is physically portrayed by a shaggy and voiced by in the telepathic sequences, where his wise-cracking, straightforward commentary delivers much of the film's humor and underscores themes of uncomplicated loyalty and perspective. This dual portrayal emphasizes Henry's role as while providing emotional support to Oliver amid the plot's inventive mishaps. In supporting roles, plays Lukas Reed, Oliver's father, whose strained relationship with the family adds emotional depth and contributes to the story's dynamics of reconciliation and understanding. portrays Ellen Reed, Oliver's mother, who balances concern for her son with her own romantic subplot, enhancing the film's blend of family tensions and lighthearted romance. Kunal Nayyar appears as Mr. Mills, the school benefactor and tech entrepreneur who becomes the antagonist, attempting to steal Oliver's invention for profit and providing comedic conflict through his schemes. Additional supporting characters include (played by Madison Horcher), Oliver's classmate and crush who aids in school-based antics, and the school bully whose antagonism heightens the stakes for Oliver's social struggles and inventive triumphs. Minghao Hou plays Xiao, Oliver's Chinese who assists with the satellite hack.

Production

Development

The development of Think Like a Dog began in 2016 when Double Dutch International acquired worldwide sales rights to the family film, which was co-written and to be directed by , with producing under his Mad Chance Productions banner. Junger's script centered on a 12-year-old tech prodigy whose experiment unexpectedly creates a telepathic bond between the boy and his dog, drawing from tropes in family-oriented sci-fi comedies. Casting attachments accelerated in March 2018, with former Transformers co-stars and signing on to play the boy's divorced parents, marking their first on-screen reunion since 2007. Young actor was attached shortly thereafter to portray the protagonist, Oliver Reed, the inventive middle-schooler at the story's core. Financing for the project came primarily from M-Star International, alongside Mad Chance, with an estimated production budget of $12.9 million, positioning it as a modest-scale family film targeted for video-on-demand and international markets. Lionsgate later secured North American distribution rights, aligning with the film's completion in 2018. Pre-production wrapped up in early 2018, including script finalization and location scouting in , setting the stage for to commence that May.

Filming

Principal photography for Think Like a Dog began on May 1, 2018, in , a location selected for its versatile suburban settings and the state's generous film tax incentives that have established the area as a major production hub. The shoot utilized various on-location sites throughout the city, including residential neighborhoods, parks, and educational facilities, to authentically capture the 's depiction of everyday family life and school environments. A challenge involved working with animal performers, as three dogs were specially trained to portray the central character , ensuring consistent and naturalistic behaviors during key scenes. Animal coordinator Sarah Clifford emphasized minimal interference on set to elicit the best performances from the pups, allowing them to interact organically with the human cast, including leads and . Scheduling was further complicated by the need to accommodate the school obligations of , who played the young protagonist Oliver. Filming wrapped in early June 2018 after approximately five weeks, with reshoots limited primarily to minor prop adjustments, reflecting the production's streamlined approach. In , editors David S. Clark and Terel Gibson handled the assembly, focusing on pacing the comedic timing and emotional beats of the family dynamics. score, composed by Jake Monaco, incorporated upbeat, whimsical motifs to underscore the film's lighthearted sci-fi comedy tone. Visual effects for the telepathic mind-link sequences, including visualizations of canine thoughts and shared perspectives, were integrated to enhance the central premise without overpowering the live-action elements.

Release

Distribution

Lionsgate distributed Think Like a Dog as a premium (PVOD) release in the United States on June 9, 2020, bypassing traditional theaters due to widespread closures caused by the . The film runs 91 minutes and received an MPAA rating of for rude and suggestive material. Although wrapped in mid-2018, the film's release was delayed until 2020, ultimately bypassing theaters for a VOD debut due to the and evolving distribution strategies. Following its U.S. debut, the movie quickly became available for digital rental and purchase on major platforms including and . Lionsgate also handled the physical media rollout, with Blu-ray and DVD editions hitting shelves on the same date as the PVOD launch. For international markets, Double Dutch International secured worldwide sales rights prior to production and facilitated deals across various territories. The film premiered online in on June 9, 2020, followed by releases in on June 10, on July 3, and the on July 6. It earned equivalent PG certifications in the UK for mild action and language, aligning with its U.S. rating, and similar classifications in other regions. The film became available for streaming on in select international markets starting June 19, 2020.

Marketing

The marketing campaign for Think Like a Dog emphasized its sci-fi comedy elements, leveraging digital platforms amid the to promote the film's direct-to-video-on-demand (VOD) release on June 9, 2020. focused on building anticipation through online trailers and , targeting parents and children with themes of boy-dog friendship and telepathic adventure. Lionsgate released the official trailer on May 5, 2020, via its YouTube channel, showcasing the central duo of young tech prodigy Oliver and his dog Henry, along with humorous scenarios highlighting their mind link. The trailer featured prominent cast members including Josh Duhamel and Megan Fox to draw broader appeal, while underscoring the film's lighthearted tone and family bonds. No separate teaser was issued; this served as the primary pre-release footage. Promotional artwork, including the main poster, prominently displayed the dog Henry alongside the human cast, emphasizing the film's whimsical premise without a distinctive tagline beyond the title itself. Lionsgate distributed these visuals across digital channels to evoke the emotional core of human-animal connection. Social media efforts centered on family-oriented engagement, with Lionsgate using the #ThinkLikeADog hashtag on platforms like and to share clips, behind-the-scenes content, and calls to action for VOD rentals. These campaigns encouraged user-generated posts about pets and family, aligning with the movie's themes to foster organic buzz. Publicity was adapted to virtual formats due to pandemic restrictions, including press junkets in June 2020 featuring interviews with director . Junger discussed the film's exploration of family dynamics and the joys of pet companionship, positioning it as uplifting entertainment for quarantined households. Given the VOD distribution model and ongoing , the campaign allocated resources modestly toward digital advertising and streaming platform integrations rather than traditional theatrical promotions.

Reception

Critical Response

Think Like a Dog received mixed reviews from critics, with praise centered on its elements and young lead performance, while criticisms focused on its formulaic storytelling and uneven execution. On , the film holds a 70% approval rating based on 10 critic reviews, with an average score of 6.1/10. awarded it 3 out of 5 stars, noting its appeal for families with children aged 7 and older due to strong performances and emotional depth in exploring parent-child relationships. Critics highlighted Gabriel Bateman's engaging portrayal of the inventive protagonist Oliver as a standout, describing him as an "earnest, beguiling young hero" who anchors the film's lighthearted adventure. The dog-centric comedy, particularly the telepathic interactions between Oliver and his pet Henry (voiced by ), was commended for providing charming, age-appropriate humor suitable for young audiences, with one review calling it "just charming enough" for fans of films. Themes of child ingenuity and family reconciliation were appreciated for adding emotional heft, balancing the sci-fi premise of the telepathic link with relatable coming-of-age elements. However, detractors pointed to the film's predictable plot and sentimental tone as major shortcomings, with The Guardian labeling the script a "syrupy slush" that devolves into lowbrow clichés despite its promising setup. Performances from supporting cast members like Megan Fox and Josh Duhamel were criticized as "terrifically wooden," suggesting underutilization of their talents in service of the uneven pacing and overly busy narrative. Pete Hammond of Deadline gave it a middling 3/5, acknowledging its entertainment value for kids but noting its slow and predictable structure. The film received no major awards nominations, reflecting its modest critical footprint as a direct-to-video release.

Audience and Commercial Performance

Think Like a Dog received mixed reception from audiences, earning a 5.2 out of 10 rating on based on 2,508 user votes. On , the audience score stands at 50% from over 50 ratings, with viewers noting its cheesy elements but appreciating its family-oriented charm. recommends the film for ages 7 and up, highlighting its family-friendly appeal in parent and kid reviews, where the sassy dog humor and emotional family themes resonate positively despite some potty humor and peril. The film achieved modest commercial success primarily through its premium video-on-demand (VOD) release by on June 9, 2020, bypassing wide theatrical distribution in the U.S. Internationally, it grossed $1,239,498 at the , reflecting limited but steady performance in select markets. Culturally, Think Like a Dog has had a minor impact, occasionally appearing in lists of family comedies featuring animal protagonists but without spawning sequels or broader franchise development. The primary viewer demographics consist of families and children, who praised the film's lighthearted dog-centric humor and relatable coming-of-age elements, though some noted criticisms of dated technological tropes and low-budget production values. As of 2025, the film maintains sustained streaming availability on platforms including , , and in various regions, bolstering Lionsgate's portfolio of accessible VOD content.

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