Universal’s new R-rated comedy “Strays” brings a star-studded cast together to voice a group of stray dogs on a wild revenge mission with a vulgar comedic bite. The film follows Reggie (voiced by Will Ferrell), a naïve but good-hearted dog abandoned by his cruel owner Doug (Will Forte), on the lonely city streets.
He thinks it’s all an elaborate game, but after befriending street-smart strays Bug, Hunter and Maggie, he realizes that Doug doesn’t want him anymore. Since Doug has taken away everything that mattered to Reggie, the tiny terrier vows to take what Doug cherishes more than the sacred bond between owner and pet – his penis.
The four furry friends embark on an epic quest to retrace Doug’s route and find him before he skips town, encountering several obstacles on the way, including terrifying fireworks at a country fair, a hungry bald eagle, a wild mushroom trip, and an incident in some holding cells at Animal Control.
1. What happened at the end of the movie?
When Reggie arrives at Doug’s house, he sees that Doug isn’t there and decides to bury the tennis ball he’s brought in the backyard. Eventually, though, Doug returns home and is far from pleased to see Reggie’s face.
When Reggie confronts Doug, he gives a heartwarming speech highlighting his realization about Doug’s abusiveness and readiness to become independent. Unfortunately, Reggie’s speech falls on deaf ears, and it’s not just because Doug can’t understand him but more so because his rage is starting to consume him.
Doug is so fed up with Reggie’s presence that he plans to kill Reggie until Bug, Maggie, and Hunter rush in to save him. They all rush to Reggie’s aid, and Hunter whips off his head cone. These dogs spare no mercy in taking Doug down.
They do everything they can to defeat Doug and even start a small fire during the chaos. It all builds towards the pivotal moment of Reggie fulfilling his mission and biting off Doug’s penis, with Hunter adding some extra humiliation by pooping right on Doug’s face while it happens. By the end, Doug has a burning house, mangled private parts, and a sour taste. Reggie’s revenge sure is sweet.
2. Why Hunter finally removes his Cone of Shame?
Despite having an intimidating name and being the giant dog in the pack, Hunter is a bashful dog who lacks confidence after failing to complete K9 police training. He doesn’t see the dignity in providing support at assisted living homes and hospice care centers and keeps his “Cone of Shame” on to lessen his anxiety about being a failure.
When he’s forced to come to Reggie’s rescue in the climactic battle with Doug, Hunter finally believes in his power and removes the cone to engage in full attack mode, making him appear even more handsome to Maggie.
3. Why Reggie ultimately chooses to remain a stray?
Reggie ultimately chooses to stay a stray for a few reasons.
He has found a new family with the PFFs (Paws for Furry Friends). The PFFs are a group of stray dogs who have banded together to help each other survive on the streets. They have taught Reggie how to be lost and find food and shelter. They have also shown him love and acceptance, something he never got from Doug.
Reggie has learned that he is worthy of love and belonging, even without an owner. Doug was a neglectful and abusive owner who made Reggie feel he was never good enough. But the PFFs have shown Reggie that he is loved and valued for who he is.
Reggie has found freedom and independence on the streets. As a stray, he can go where he wants, when he wants. He doesn’t have to answer to anyone. He can be himself.
Of course, there are also challenges to being a stray. Reggie has to be careful of cars, other animals, and humans who might not be friendly to strays. He also has to find food and shelter on his own. But Reggie is a survivor and determined to make the best of his life.
In the end, Reggie remains a stray because he has found a new family and a sense of self-worth. He is no longer the scared and neglected dog he once was. He is now a confident, independent dog who knows he is loved and valued.
4. What does the end of the movie mean?
Although Reggie and Bug initially have opposite perspectives, they eventually have moments that allow them to have better and more purposeful lives. While Bug resents humans because of what happened with Emma, he starts to change his heart when he meets Riley.
When Bug sees Riley crying and scared because she’s been lost for so long, he returns to comfort her. It’s then that he realizes that, like Reggie, there’s just this innate purpose within him to comfort people. This time, though, he feels a love from Riley that matches his, and it ultimately leads him to care for people again, starting a new journey on the leash alongside Riley.
As for Reggie, his arc is one about understanding self-worth. Even though he secretly wants to go back to Doug to apologize for being a “bad dog” and continue in their cycle, regardless of how abusive it is, he has a life-changing revelation.
When he faces Doug again, Reggie delivers a speech highlighting his realization of Doug’s mistreatment and his desire to start a new chapter without him. Reggie finally understands that he doesn’t need Doug, and his new purpose in helping other strays find their way symbolizes his growth. So, although Reggie and Bug started in tragic places, their arcs lead them towards brighter and more fulfilling futures.
5. About Strays
Strays is a 2023 American comedy film directed by Josh Greenbaum and written by Dan Perrault. The film stars Will Ferrell, Jamie Foxx, Will Forte, Isla Fisher, Randall Park, Harvey Guillén, Rob Riggle, Brett Gelman, Jamie Demetriou and Sofía Vergara.
When a gullible Border Terrier named Reggie is abandoned on the streets by his selfish and ruthless owner Doug, an animal-hating drug addict who never wanted him, he teams up with other strays including a streetwise Boston Terrier named Bug, an Australian Shepherd named Maggie, and a therapy Great Dane named Hunter to get revenge on Doug.
Strays was released in the United States on August 18, 2023, by Universal Pictures. It received mixed reviews.
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