Strays (review) – Josh Greenbaum’s irreverent comedy is also a touching tale of finding your pack

Strays arrives in cinemas nationwide on August 18.

Strays is one of those laugh-out-loud, audacious films that provide both side-splitting fun and joyously cringe-worthy scenes. Its puerile humour may be reminiscent of American Pie and a bygone error of non-politically correct films that work best when watched with a crowd. It is a hilarious take on the classic tale of the best friend dynamics between a man and his dog with outlandish antics that will appeal to fans of Cocaine Bear’s parody of the Z list film style of humour.

Even though Strays plays for laughs, its central themes are universal: the ability to find true friendship and recognise your self-worth. These themes surround Reggie, voiced by Will Ferrell, a dog who initially describes his best life as one where his owner, Doug, continuously rejects him as he performs tricks to receive attention and nuggets of love. Whilst these activities may resemble the usual human and dog interaction, it is quickly apparent that Doug neglects Reggie through a psychologically toxic partnership reminiscent of many human relationships where one person yields more power than another. But Reggie’s life is transformed when he realises the status of his abandonment through a pack of strays; Bug (Jamie Foxx), an Australian shepherd called Maggie (Isla Fisher) and a lumbering great dane, Hunter (Randall Park).

A highly amusing tale of discovery ensues, including plenty of territory marking around fire hydrants and a series of hilarious lessons and revelations. As Reggie learns to find a new sense of freedom away from his controlling human, his new troupe of doggy mates live their best lives. Slow-motion shots of the dogs walking through neighbourhoods in solidarity are delightful as the energetic soundtrack of hip-hop songs heralds their freedom. Strays may be a comedy, but it is unafraid to tackle broader themes as it mocks a series of sugar-coated dog-themed films of the past. Here Strays touches upon mental health issues, a fear of rejection and group therapy, all of which introduce a slightly absurdist element to this tale.

There is no escaping the crass humour of Strays, but substantial, emotional topics add layers of depth to the film. As such, despite the superficial nature of a pack of dogs relishing their freedom in a cautionary tale of revenge, Strays includes a heartfelt message. Strays encourages us to find the right tribe and acknowledge and release ourselves from desperate feelings of neediness. The film’s underlying emphasis on friendship, balancing being alone, and recognising genuine support is a nice touch between the belly laugh-inducing moments it creates.