A Dog's Perfect Christmas

What’s it about?

A basset hound narrates how his human family faces turmoil when their mother lands in hospital in the lead-up to Christmas. 

The facts 

• Directed by Cathryn Michon (A Dog’s Purpose)
• Starring Dennis Quaid (In Good Company), Milo Ventimiglia (This is Us), Thomas Haden Church, Brooke Lena Johnson, Kathleen Rose Perkins, Jennifer Tilly and Mary Steenburgen (A Man on the Inside)
• English language 
• Runtime: 101 minutes
• Based on a novel by W. Bruce Cameron

Why did it get this rating? 

This film was self-rated by Netflix. You can find out more about self-rating by streaming providers here.

Adult themes

One of the characters is in a state of grief following the death of his wife two years prior. This leads him to neglect his personal grooming and relationships with other family members.

A married couple are shown discussing the challenges in their relationship.

The mother character is shown vomiting into a toilet. She then ends up in hospital with mysterious symptoms. Eventually she is put in an induced coma with organ failure and her chances of survival are unknown for much of the movie, though she does pull through.

Coarse language

There are a couple of uses of the word "bitch" to describe women. The words "sh*t" and "bullsh*t" are used once each.

When content stays with you

We all have our boundaries, and it’s completely okay if something you’ve watched is weighing on your mind. If certain content lingers with you, consider having a chat with friends or whānau to debrief about what you’ve just seen. But if you’re still feeling affected, please reach out to any of the following helplines for support.  

• 1737
• Safe to talk
• Lifeline
• Youthline

Further information 

• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?