Straw Dogs (1971)

Kernel Score: 81% · 1,036 TMDB ratings · Rated R

Genres: Thriller, Drama, Crime

Released: 1971-11-25

Runtime: 116 minutes

Overview

David Sumner, a mild-mannered academic from the United States, marries Amy, an Englishwoman. In order to escape a hectic stateside lifestyle, David and his wife relocate to the small town in rural Cornwall where Amy was raised. There, David is ostracized by the brutish men of the village, including Amy's old flame, Charlie. Eventually the taunts escalate.

Straw Dogs parents' guide: ages 16+

Parents need to know that Straw Dogs is an R-rated 1971 thriller containing a notorious rape scene and extreme, shocking violence.

  • Violence & scariness: Intense — The film builds to an extremely violent, shocking siege sequence with graphic brutality, per keywords and reviews.
  • Sex, romance & nudity: Strong — Contains a well-documented, disturbing rape scene central to the plot, per keywords.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

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Director

Sam Peckinpah

Cast

  • Dustin Hoffman as David Sumner
  • Susan George as Amy
  • Peter Vaughan as Tom Hedden
  • T. P. McKenna as Maj. John Scott
  • Del Henney as Charlie Venner
  • Jim Norton as Chris Cawsey
  • Donald Webster as Riddaway
  • Ken Hutchison as Norman Scutt
  • Len Jones as Bobby Hedden
  • Sally Thomsett as Janice Hedden

Straw Dogs FAQ

Is Straw Dogs good?

Straw Dogs has an 81% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels, our own critic-informed editorial score.

Is Straw Dogs OK for kids?

Straw Dogs is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 16+. Parents need to know that Straw Dogs is an R-rated 1971 thriller containing a notorious rape scene and extreme, shocking violence.

What movies are like Straw Dogs?

If you liked Straw Dogs, try Boys Don't Cry, Brimstone, Return to Dust and Falling Down.