User Score
5.8 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 73 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 73
  2. Negative: 18 out of 73

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  1. Sep 25, 2011
    6
    The movie's cast is seriously spoiled. But despite these obstacles, "Alpha Dog" does a pretty good job maneuvering itself chronologically till the end.
  2. Sep 17, 2010
    4
    Based on actual events that took place in 1999, drug dealers fall out, kid brother gets kidnapped, shenanigans happen.
    I have never seen a film where I wanted all the characters to die within the first five minutes of them being on screen. Tries to be slick, witty & wit da kidz but just comes across as brash, brainless & plain annoying.
  3. Mar 6, 2012
    7
    This movie deserves more credit from everyone. The development of the relationship between the kid and timberlake's character is easily the biggest thing this movie has going for it. The story is absurd and I don't know how much of this is "true" but what I do know is that by the end I felt for the characters, so it obviously did something right.
  4. Jun 13, 2011
    6
    The issues with the movie were the beginning was very convoluted. Then once the movie got going it became a very good movie. However at the end it left a few hole that should have been answered. Over all it was an enjoyable movie but could have been better.
  5. Mar 12, 2013
    7
    This movie shows the real face of the most American people. I liked it, because it has a unpredictable story. It's great to watch with friends. So i recommend it with my final score 7/10
  6. Oct 28, 2010
    10
    I'm absolutely against violence, but the rage of Ben Fosters character spoke to me. I found a sincerity in the acting that I wont forget. This is one of my favorite movies; primarily due to the base emotions it elicited in me. It's not for everyone, but if you feel this movie is for you I highly recommend it.
  7. ChristopherW.
    May 6, 2007
    4
    Anton Yelchin and Justin Timberlake provide the way inside this film. Virtually every character in 'Alpha Dog' is despicable and unsympathetic, but there is something emotionally honest and somewhat purposeful that develops out of the most unlikely of friendships between Yelchin and Timberlake. I really think Timberlake played his cards right in this one. If not for this pairing, the film would have remained utterly bereft of focus and empathy. Despite its many artistic flaws, the tragic ending does indeed seem, well, tragic...and emerges as the heart piece in this cold depressing film. Expand
  8. GregH.
    Jan 12, 2007
    0
    Justin Timberlake single-handedly brought this movie down. Sounds like a pre-pubescent little boy acting like a gangsta.
  9. KathiS.
    Jan 8, 2008
    9
    As a 47-year-old woman with a 53-year-old husband we did not expect to love this movie. We did, though. Timberlake was great but I thought the rest of the cast was, too. I don't kn ow why it received all the bad reviews. Was it really just the cursing. Big deal. I know it was disturbing but real life often is. We loved the movie and plan on buying the DVD.
  10. JamesC.
    Jan 14, 2007
    1
    We have our first nominee for "Worst Movie of the Year." Yes, we have bad acting, horrendous dialogue, choppy editing, and really bad make-up. Mr. Timberlake stick to singing, you have done 3 clunker films in a row. Mariah Carey does one bad film and gets crucified. Madonna , ditto. Where is the outrage!!! ??? The only decent actor in this turd of a movie is Ben Foster. John Cassavetes must be rolling in his grave!!!! A complete and utter failure of a film. Expand
  11. Grit
    Mar 20, 2007
    10
    Justin is as good an actor as a singer. What a surprise! And to the haters, stop.
  12. JohnP.
    May 21, 2007
    1
    And I thought Kids & Bully were already disturbingly bad. Enough already, stop it with the teenage nilhism and move on the something new. I don't need to be sworn at 30 times a second to get the point. Their was no point. It is to bad that Nick Cassavetes couldn't have picked up on some of his dad's movie making talent. Hard hitting reality checks but all done with terrific acting and not 24/7 shockarama B.S. Highly recommed you watch this movie while you are asleep because you won't get one single iota of edification or pleasure and at least you'll get some rest. Good night. Expand
  13. DeclanM
    Jun 21, 2007
    0
    complete and utter rubbish
  14. time
    Sep 4, 2007
    0
    I nearly wet myself when I found out Justin Timberlake was playing a street thug. What next Stevie Wonder in Driving Ms. Daisy 2? The only good role for Justin may be a castrated choir boy.
  15. JanB.
    Jan 5, 2008
    1
    The worst movie of 2007 i've seen. Had doubts about Timberlake's acting skills, but he was the only one making the movie a little bit interesting. Very very boring movie.
  16. [Anonymous]
    Jan 10, 2007
    10
    If nothing else, Alpha Dog's worth a look for the performance of Justin Timberlake, the moral center of a movie sorely in need of some conscience. Already a gifted comic actor--his Saturday Night Live appearances are now anticipated events--he proves himself able to go to a pitch-black place.
  17. PatrickH.
    Jan 21, 2007
    8
    Surprisingly effective after the fact - with a clean visual style and some strong acting moments.
  18. CodyM.
    Feb 14, 2007
    0
    I've gotta agree with James C; Mariah & Madonna get blacklisted in Hollywood for doing a bad movie yet Timberlake keeps on getting roles even though he acts like he's still in the mickey mouse club doing a disney special or something. He should really stick to singing (or whatever you call that nasal whining thing he does!).
  19. GerronK.
    Mar 8, 2007
    7
    First of all, Justin Timberlake's performance is the most poignant one in the entire film. The way he behaves (as some of you all put it: as the nasal whining person) is required of his character. He is supposed to be the human in the entire fiasco and he portrays it finely. The movie as a whole was a bit of a mess, but the film came together in the last 30 minutes, and with its tragic ending, is a smart film for such an early year release. Expand
  20. RichardH.
    May 11, 2007
    1
    This film was laugh out loud bad. I'd put it up there with classics such as Showgirls as a terrible films so bad they're entertaining. Has some nice titties in it too, that's about it. Justin Timberlake surprisingly isn't a terrible actor, if er, he did any acting, considering there was practically no plot or anything coherant or good to work with. Blah, just a total crappy film overall, wants to be Scarface, but is just totally camp and poop. Thank you. Expand
  21. PnArdyPnArdy
    May 13, 2007
    3
    Boring, dull, tragic and artificial. Don't recommend.
  22. SaraG.
    May 8, 2007
    2
    I couldn't decide if I should laugh or cry, the whole thing was really confusing...They really should've picked a genre and stuck with it, also it was shocking to find that it was based on actual events. Not very believable.
  23. ConorK
    Jun 7, 2007
    9
    good movie, captivating scenes, true story so it had to be good
  24. AndrewC.
    Jan 12, 2007
    9
    Although the characters are a bunch of idiots I really liked Nick Cassavetes style and thought that he really captured their whole scene very well.
  25. olivers.
    Nov 3, 2007
    9
    I usually am more a fan of the classics than new films, however i found this film enjoyable and to have a very good story. I thought it depicted the characters perfectly and gave shock and horror. I am not at all a Justin fan but acted exceptionally well in this film. All in all the acting was great, the script was great and the plot was great.
  26. Stpehanie
    Jan 13, 2007
    10
    I thought this movie was very good. I liked everything about it, to the actors, to the drama, everything. This movie was very mind catching, and really hit me at the end. It was a very sad story and I'm glad someone smart made the movie.
  27. PaulR.
    Oct 17, 2007
    8
    I can't believe all the negative reviews. I thought the movie was very good! The acting was great, even from Timberlake. Sad ending, but I read the MSNBC story, so I knew it was coming.
  28. GaborA.
    Dec 28, 2007
    2
    This movie is indeed bad, but bad isn't the most apt description. Absurd is. Everything about this movie is absurd from the story to the directing to the editing. The acting is the most ridiculous. JT takes this as an opportunity to show us how black he is, not at all. Foster, who is usually reliable, is an over the top joke. Emile Hirsch does a Leonardo DiCaprio impersonation the whole movie. And everyone else just acts stoned even if they're not. Expand
  29. Kevin
    Jan 27, 2007
    0
    Everyone involved in this movie should be deeply embarrassed - plot is weak, acting is worse, and the script is disastrous.
  30. SeanF.
    May 13, 2007
    8
    This film really surprised me with how well it depicted the strange world of a group of LA wigger, wannabe gangsters. These small time thug's world spirals out of control, as they try to 'keep it real' and be OG's... I thought this movie was a good commentary on the senselessness of gangsta rap, and the attempts of suburban white youth to imitate gangster culture. This film reminded me a little bit of Todd Solondz or Harmony Korine's movies, I even picked up a bit of a Tarantino (for a younger generation) feel to the movie. Somewhat original, fairly thought-provoking film. Expand
Metascore

Mixed or average reviews - based on 30 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 30
  2. Negative: 1 out of 30
  1. Reviewed by: Justin Chang
    60
    Writer-director Nick Cassavetes' sprawling dramatization recklessly blurs the line between reconstruction and reality in ways that are admittedly interesting, if more than a little artistically suspect.
  2. Reviewed by: Robert Wilonsky
    70
    If nothing else, Alpha Dog's worth a look for the performance of Justin Timberlake, the moral center of a movie sorely in need of some conscience. Already a gifted comic actor--his Saturday Night Live appearances are now anticipated events--he proves himself able to go to a pitch-black place.
  3. 50
    Timberlake walks off with the movie. Too bad it's not worth stealing.