Directed by
Giorgos Lanthimos
Made by
Kino International
The film commences with three siblings, all in their late teens to early twenties, gathered in a bathroom intently listening to a cassette tape. This tape imparts four critical words for the day: Sea, motorway, excursion, and carbine. However, the definitions provided appear entirely disconnected from their actual meanings. Once the tape concludes, one sibling proposes a challenging game, attempting to keep their fingers submerged in hot water for as long as possible.
As the narrative unfolds, we learn that the father has brought Christina, a female security guard familiar from his workplace, to the house, seemingly paying her to engage in sexual acts with his son. This sordid encounter feels utterly mechanical and forced. Afterward, the father drives her back while blindfolded to preserve the house’s secrecy.
The family’s day-to-day existence becomes increasingly evident, revealing that the children have no connection to the outside world. They are indoctrinated into believing that they cannot exit the main gate unless they lose a dogtooth—which are, in truth, permanent. To bide their time, they assist with household chores, partake in various endurance games, and watch recordings of themselves. Good behavior is rewarded with stickers, while poor behavior incurs physical and verbal punishment. Adding to their distorted reality, they are led to believe that a brother once attempted to cross the fence but was met with dire consequences and thus, they frequently try to communicate with him.
The father’s interactions extend to a dog training facility where he learns that their dog is still in training and cannot be retrieved yet. Christina’s visits continue, but her patience wears thin when the son refuses to engage with her, leading her to find solace in sexual encounters with her elder daughter, offering trinkets like a hairband in exchange. This dynamic gives rise to the elder daughter also seeking out similar exchanges with her younger sister. Both seem to find enjoyment in these interactions, a stark contrast to the son’s reluctance.
One fateful day, a stray cat wanders into the garden, bringing terror to the siblings. The son, however, takes matters into his own hands and kills the cat. When the father returns, clad in fake blood, he spins a tale of how cats can be sinister, claiming that the family’s brother on the other side of the fence was murdered by one. This grim narrative prompts a ceremony for their “deceased” brother.
Things take a twist when the mother reveals her pregnancy with twins, sparking discontent among the children who realize sharing their already limited space will be inevitable. The father, in response to their complaints, suggests reconsidering the additions should the children show improved behavior.
In another turn of events, the elder daughter persuades Christina to lend her two Hollywood film tapes with the promise of returning them. After viewing them, she begins to mimic the films, incorporating quotes into her daily life and even adopting the name “Bruce,” possibly inspired by Jaws. When the father discovers the films, he reacts violently, punishing her brutally. Following this, he confronts Christina, attacking her in a rage over the perceived negative influence these films might impart to his own children.
As things escalate, the parents decide to shift the responsibility of choosing a new sexual partner for their son upon him, leading him to select the elder sister. Her discomfort shines through as she resorts to quoting lines from movies during their encounter to express her unease.
At a celebratory dinner for the parents’ wedding anniversary, the children are called upon to perform a dance. The younger sibling tires and sits out, but the elder finds joy in replicating dance moves from Flashdance, only to be interrupted by a visibly concerned mother.
In an impulsive moment, the elder daughter uses a dumbbell to knock out one of her dogteeth and subsequently sneaks outside, hiding in the trunk of the family car. Panic ensues when the father discovers the tooth and blood, frantically searching for her. As the urgency mounts, he leaves the premises, pressing the family members into a growing state of despair over her absence.
The following day, the father heads to work, leaving the car unlocked in front of the factory yard. The camera lingers on the trunk, which remains stubbornly shut, leaving the fate of the siblings hanging in the balance.
The Game Begins
The film starts with three siblings gathered in a bathroom, listening to a cassette tape that presents four cryptic words for the day. These words—Sea, motorway, excursion, and carbine—are delivered with definitions that appear completely unrelated, setting a surreal tone for their day ahead.
Father's Disturbing Arrangement
Shortly after the tape, the siblings' father introduces Christina, a female security guard from his workplace, to the house. It is revealed that he has paid her to engage in sexual acts with his son, highlighting the dark and mechanical nature of their family dynamics.
Indoctrination and Isolation
The siblings live in a world where they are indoctrinated to believe they cannot leave the confines of their property unless they lose a 'dogtooth'. Their daily lives consist of household chores and endurance games, with their development stunted by a lack of real-world interaction.
Behavioral Rewards and Punishments
The family's unique system involves rewarding good behavior with stickers while punishing poor behavior with physical and verbal consequences. This system reinforces the children's distorted perception of reality, creating a controlled atmosphere devoid of normal familial relationships.
A Grim Twist
A stray cat enters the garden, instilling fear in the siblings. When the son kills the cat, the father concocts a chilling story, claiming cats can be evil and that their brother, who attempted to escape, was killed by one, further instilling fear and reinforcing their captivity.
Unexpected Pregnancy
The mother announces her pregnancy with twins, causing unrest among the siblings. They express their dissatisfaction, realizing that their already cramped living space will become even more confined, leading to a stark realization of their limited existence.
Influence of Hollywood
The elder daughter convinces Christina to lend her two Hollywood film tapes, which she eagerly watches. Inspired by the films, she begins quoting lines and adopts the name 'Bruce', showcasing her desire to break free from her constraining environment.
Violent Consequences
Upon discovering the films, the father reacts violently, brutally punishing the elder daughter for her fascination with the outside world. This intimidation serves to further maintain control over the siblings and suppress any budding independence they might develop.
Forced Choices
The parents decide that the responsibility of choosing a new sexual partner for their son will fall upon him, leading him to select his elder sister. Her discomfort becomes palpable as she quotes lines from movies to cope with the surreal and troubling situation.
Dancing Through Despair
During a celebratory dinner for their parents' anniversary, the children perform a dance. The elder sibling finds joy replicating moves from Flashdance, only to be interrupted by their mother's distress, highlighting their conflicting emotions.
Breaking Free
In a desperate act, the elder daughter knocks out one of her dogteeth and sneaks outside, hiding in the trunk of the family car. The father's discovery of the blood and tooth leads to a frantic search, emphasizing the escalating drama within the family.
The Search Begins
After realizing his daughter is missing, the father becomes frantic, searching the property. His growing desperation resonates with the remaining siblings, who feel the looming threat of losing their sister in their already fragile existence.
Uncertain Future
The following day, the father leaves for work, leaving the car unlocked outside the factory. The camera focuses on the trunk, which remains tightly shut, symbolizing the uncertain fate of the siblings and the haunting secrecy surrounding their lives.
Elder Daughter
The elder daughter exhibits a complex mixture of obedience and rebellion as she navigates her oppressive environment. Her aspiration to adopt a new identity through mimicry of Hollywood films showcases her desire for freedom and self-expression. However, her internalized fear complicates her interactions with her family and leads to conflicted emotions.
Father
The father embodies authoritarian control, using psychological manipulation to enforce strict rules within the household. His interactions with the children are often cold and calculated, demonstrating a disturbing sense of power over their lives. His actions reflect a deep-seated fear of losing control and an obsession with maintaining the family's isolated existence.
Christina
Christina serves as a critical link between the family's insular world and the outside society. Initially brought in for her role as a sexual surrogate, she becomes a conflicted character, navigating complex relationships with the son and the father. Her presence highlights the absurdity and tragedy of the siblings' existence, as she embodies both the allure and danger of the world beyond the fence.
Time period
The events of the film occur in an unspecified contemporary setting, highlighting modern influences like cassette tapes and Hollywood films. This ambiguous timeline emphasizes the timeless nature of the family's isolation and psychological manipulation. The focus remains on the siblings' day-to-day life, mired in ignorance and fear.
Location
Family House, Garden
The family resides in a secluded house surrounded by a garden that serves as the boundary of their confined world. The house is essentially their prison, with no connection to the outside, creating a distorted bubble where rules dictate their lives. The garden becomes a rare point of intrigue when a stray cat appears, signaling the outside world's intrusion.
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Isolation
The film explores the extreme psychological and physical isolation of the siblings from the outside world, as their father constructs a false reality. This isolation breeds confusion and dependence, as they cannot distinguish truth from the elaborate lies they are told. Their confinement serves as a metaphor for the dangers of authoritarian control.
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Fear
Fear is a pervasive theme in the siblings' lives, instilled by their father's authoritarian tactics. The terror surrounding the concept of 'dogtooth' and the fabricated stories of dire consequences contribute to their distorted understanding of reality. This fear also manifests in unexpected moments, such as the arrival of the stray cat, invoking primal instincts.
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Identity
The quest for identity is evident, particularly through the elder daughter's experimentation with language and behavior drawn from Hollywood films. This theme reflects the struggle to form a sense of self in an environment where individuality is stifled. The characters grapple with an imposed identity, leading to moments of subversion and rebellion.
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