Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight

by Mike McGranaghan

Embeth Davidtz is one of the most accomplished character actresses of our time. Her impressive resume includes everything from Schindler’s List to Bridget Jones’s Diary to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. On television, she has notably appeared on Mad Men and Ray Donovan, among other shows. Now she proves to be a formidable presence as a filmmaker, adapting and directing Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight, based on Alexandra Fuller’s memoir of the same name.

The story takes place toward the end of the Bush War but its themes have a timely quality. Eight-year-old Bobo Fuller (Lexi Venter) lives on a farm in Zimbabwe with her father Tim (Rob Van Vuuren) and her mother Nicola (Davidtz). Tim has taken the side of the white government and is often away fighting the Black “terrorists,” as he calls them. Nicola, who suffers from alcoholism and manic behavior, has a bit more empathy for Black citizens. As an election nears that could significantly alter the country’s course, tensions rise higher. Through Bobo’s eyes, we see how the conflict impacts the Fuller family.

Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight is very much a story about what we teach children regarding race. Bobo repeats her father’s language indicating a belief that Blacks are inferior while simultaneously maintaining a close relationship with her family’s servants, Sarah (Zikhona Bali) and Jacob (Fumani N. Shilubana). That they yearn for the same liberation those scary “others” are fighting for goes right over her head. The little girl similarly grapples with differing parental views. Nicola loves the land and wants to stay no matter what; Tim is prepared to flee if whites lose control of the country. Through all this, Bobo must figure out what she believes.

The intelligent, observant screenplay takes the character through a series of incidents that prove transformative. Even if you think you know where Bobo will wind up at the end, the way she gets there still manages to make a huge impact. Especially powerful is a climactic exchange between Bobo and Jacob that conveys deep meaning without a single word being spoken. The movie doesn’t lecture the audience; it allows them to come to the meaning of the girl’s journey organically.

Not many children of such a young age could be the focal point of a story this heavy. Davidtz struck gold by finding Lexi Venter, who gives one of the most extraordinary child performances I’ve ever seen. She’s got a wonderfully expressive face that compliments a naturally spunky presence. Not once do you ever sense the kind of show-kid artificiality that has tanked other child-centered dramas. Her scenes with Davidtz, who is also outstanding, are especially potent because you can feel how Nicola’s erratic behavior rubs off on Bobo.

The intersection of race and politics is a current flashpoint topic in our society. In following one young girl’s journey, Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight evokes thoughts about how young people can potentially change the world, depending on whether they learn the right lessons. There’s a lot to chew on with the film, but even if you put that relevance aside, it’s a splendidly made look at a family in turmoil. This deserves to be one of the biggest arthouse hits of Summer 2025.

---