Strays (2023)

When Reggie (Will Ferrell) is abandoned by his owner, he teams up with Bug (Jamie Foxx) and his other dog friends to journey back home and get revenge. Strays is Reggie’s story as he attempts to come to terms with his shitty owner, Doug (Will Forte), and the world around him. He’ll make new friends, he’ll question reality, and the world that he once knew will never look the same to him again.

Comedies aren’t often expected to be good films. I want to laugh, but that’s about all I expect from this genre–nothing more, nothing less. Strays is far different from raunchy comedies of the past. It has a compelling story, stellar cinematography, and an appeal to emotion that we don’t often get to see in films like this. I’ll come right out and say it: this is one of the best made comedies that I’ve seen in years–maybe since The 40-Year-Old Virgin.

Everything starts with the voice acting and casting the right people to play the roles of dogs. Ferrell wouldn’t have come to mind, Randall Park (Hunter) wouldn’t have come to mind, and many of the other individuals wouldn’t have crossed my mind when considering who might be the best to fill the shoes of hilariously vulgar dogs. Regardless of what I might have initially thought, though, Casting Directors Rebecca Carfagna, Mary Hidalgo, and Meagan Lewis hire a cast that can only be described as perfect. These individuals never miss a beat, they never fuck up a line, and they constantly have viewers in stitches with their unique approach to this film and their seemingly natural ability to deliver comedy.

Again, I don’t expect much from a comedy in terms of a story or technical prowess, but the cinematography present in Strays is spectacular. The entire film takes place from the vantage point of a dog that stands just a foot or so high. That may not seem like a big deal, but it humanizes the dogs so much more, making them more accessible and lovable in the process. By allowing viewers to remain at eye level with the dogs throughout the course of the film we are given the opportunity to better appreciate Reggie, Bug, and the others’ story. We are effectively pulled into Strays in a way that wouldn’t have been possible if filmed differently. Director of Photography Tim Orr and Director Josh Greenbaum outdo what anyone could have anticipated in this regard–and it works wonders for the film.

Regardless of the fact that Doug is a complete piece of shit, he’s one of the more enjoyable characters in the film. Drama and emotion are developed throughout the course of Strays, and much of that stems from Reggie’s relationship with his owner. Doug is effectively the catalyst for all that plays out in this film–but beyond that, he’s an incredibly well-written villain. Films have gotten in the habit of developing character arcs for their antagonists–and every once in a while that’s fine. However, the fact of the matter is that many people are incapable of change, and having Doug remain the same dimwitted asshole throughout the course of the film is important. I don’t want him to develop emotionally, I don’t want him to have that “ah ha” moment; all I want from him is to be the bad guy. Forte is fantastic in portraying this character–but Doug ultimately starts on the page, and it’s the writing of Dan Perrault that works so well here. There are so many things that I love about Strays, but I honestly feel that Doug is one of the best aspects of the entire film. He’s just what the film needs–a dose of reality that helps keep it grounded, and a beautifully written bad guy.

I could have never expected what I got from Strays. I never would have guessed that the film would be filled with emotion, drama, endless laughs, stellar cinematography, a spectacular villain, and more. It’s everything that viewers could ever want in a comedy and more. I constantly laughed, I found my heart strings being tugged at, and, like I said before, Strays just might be the best comedy since The 40-Year-Old Virgin.

Directed by Josh Greenbaum.

Written by Dan Perrault.

Starring Will Ferrell, Jamie Foxx, Isla Fisher, Randall Park, Will Forte, etc.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10