Straw Dogs

Straw Dogs

In the Face of Every Coward Burns a Straw Dog.

Directed by Sam Peckinpah

Produced by ABC Pictures, Talent Associates

1971116 min7.2 / 10

A brutal, tension-soaked descent into primal violence as a civilized man is pushed beyond his limits by rural brutality and sexual transgression.

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.

Where to watch

Not available in United States — it streams in other countries.

Questions people ask

  • Is Straw Dogs scary? Yes, very. More frightening than 99% of films.

  • Is Straw Dogs violent? Yes, very. More violent than 95% of films.

  • Does Straw Dogs end with hope? No. Less hopeful than 91% of films.

  • Is Straw Dogs easy watching? Barely. Less comforting than 86% of films.

  • Is Straw Dogs sad? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

67/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Distinctly its own thing.

Rarity43

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise87

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love75

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Everything like Straw Dogs, and what each one shares →

Like Straw Dogs

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as Straw Dogs

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like Straw Dogs, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like Straw Dogs, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like Straw Dogs, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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