A remake that critics accused of celebrating its own violence
In short: When a psychological thriller moves from the English countryside to the Mississippi delta, the tension shifts from atmosphere to visceral brutality. Rod Lurie’s 2011 remake of Straw Dogs explores the thin line between being a man and becoming a macho animal, culminating in a home invasion of extreme violence.
Based on the novel The Siege of Trencher's Farm, the 2011 film follows screenwriter David Sumner and his wife Amy as they retreat to a rural Mississippi home. The narrative quickly spirals into a nightmare of harassment and violence initiated by a group of local men hired to fix a barn roof. The film is noted for its heavy symbolism and its transition from a psychological drama into a survival horror scenario. The violence is central to the film's identity and its critical reception. While some critics, such as those from The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Chicago Tribune, dismissed the work as a 'bird-brained' and 'unnecessary' remake that failed as a thriller, others found it visceral and well-made. The story begins when the couple moves into a house belonging to Amy's late father. They encounter a local man who bullies a disabled neighbor, Jeremy Niles. During their stay, the men harass the couple and taunt David for his lack of confrontation.
Notably, critic Roger Ebert praised the 2011 version over the 1971 original, citing its ability to maintain the same disturbing intensity while updating the setting and character archetypes. The film's commercial performance mirrored its polarized critical standing. Despite an estimated budget of $25 million, it grossed only about $11.1 million domestically and internationally. The narrative reaches a peak of brutality in its final act, involving a series of gruesome deaths—including a sheriff being shot and a protagonist being beaten to death with a fireplace poker—leading to a consensus among some reviewers that the film ultimately celebrates violence rather than just depicting it.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Straw Dogs (2011 film)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-straw-dogs-2011-film.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Films · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
