Dog of God
2025 Latvian film
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Dog of God (Latvian: Dieva suns) is a 2025 adult animated comedy horror film[2] co-written, edited and directed by Lauris and Raitis Ābele.[3] Based on the true story of Thiess of Kaltenbrun, a man convicted of heresy who calls himself a werewolf,[4] the film is a joint Latvian-American co-production[5] starring Regnārs Vaivars, Einars Repše and Kristians Kareļins.[6][7]
Raitis Ābele
Raitis Ābele
Ivo Briedis
Harijs Grundmanis
Giovanni Labadessa
Einars Repše
Kristians Kareļins
| Dog of God | |
|---|---|
International release poster | |
| Directed by | Lauris Ābele Raitis Ābele |
| Written by | Lauris Ābele Raitis Ābele Ivo Briedis Harijs Grundmanis |
| Produced by | Kristele Pudane Giovanni Labadessa |
| Starring | Regnārs Vaivars Einars Repše Kristians Kareļins |
| Cinematography | Mārcis Ābele |
| Edited by | Lauris Ābele Raitis Ābele |
| Music by | Lauris Ābele |
Production companies | Tritone Studio Lumiere Lab |
| Distributed by | Media Move |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 92 minutes |
| Countries | Latvia United States |
| Languages | Latvian German |
| Budget | €720,000[1] |
Dog of God had its world premiere at the 24th Tribeca Film Festival on June 6, 2025, in the Escape from Tribeca section.[8] It was selected as the Latvian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.[9]
Synopsis
In the 17th-century Livonian village of Zaube, the shepherd sends the maid to trial for witchcraft. There, a man named Thiess proclaims himself a werewolf, one with roots in Latvian folklore, close to a demented shaman. The moment this tension reaches its peak will forever change the village and its surviving inhabitants.[10]
Cast
The actors participating in this film are:[11]
- Regnārs Vaivars as Buchholtz
- Einars Repše as Thiess
- Jurģis Spulenieks as Klibis
- Agate Krista as Neze
- Kristians Kareļins
- Armands Berģis
Production
Principal photography took place between 2022 and 2023 at the Riga School of Media and Arts studio in Latvia.[1]
Release
Dog of God had its world premiere on June 6, 2025, at the 24th Tribeca Film Festival in the Escape from Tribeca section,[12] then screened on July 21, 2025, at the 29th Fantasia International Film Festival,[13] on August 7, 2025, at the Octopus Film Festival,[14] and on August 22, 2025, at the FrightFest.[15] ESC Films acquired the French theatrical rights.[16]
The film had a limited theatrical release on September 2, 2025, in Latvian theaters through Cinamon,[17] before expanding nationwide on October 16.[18]
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 86% of 22 critics' reviews are positive.[19]
