Sick Puppy Film Review - An Indie Canadian Horror Movie
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read
“Sick Puppy” is a new Canadian independent horror film, directed and written by Jay Reid, starring Natasha Calis and Brett Geddes. This unique film has generated a lot of debate among the crowds. Sinister Cupcakes was lucky enough to be invited to see “Sick Puppy”; after attending it's Toronto premiere at the Revue Cinema, we’re bringing you our reviews all in one place, so join us and check out our thoughts on this shocking film:
Skarekr0e's Review of Sick Puppy Movie:
We were so excited to go to the screening of this movie, and believe us when we say, you may think you know where this movie is going, but you have NO IDEA. We were surprised, pleasantly mind you, when the movie started going the way it did, but it was a seductive and filthy thrill ride the likes of which we were not expecting. We were hooked from the onset, and the pacing of the movie kept us thoroughly engaged until the screen faded out. I have to say, there are no major spoilers in this blog, but there are references to plot details that you could only know after having seen the movie. So, soft spoiler alert I suppose, if those details matter to you.
To start, I thoroughly enjoyed the clever combination of dark, cute, and comedic tone throughout the film. The quick transition between sweet and demented scenes was really jarring in the best of ways, as the juxtaposition of the two extremes made both all the more intense. It never, however, felt unreal, and the occasional quips of comedy really kept you hanging on every line. We laughed so hard, and would then be struck by something creepy that would put us right back in our seats.
I really loved how right from the beginning we see the care that the characters show for each other, even if the film has a dark theme. The shocking intro scene shows Charlie has a weakness for things that are broken, and this translates into her love for her husband, John, despite his need to kill. He's a broken, sick, wounded man, who she feels drawn to take care of, even sacrificing herself, her happiness, and eventually her sanity to make him happy. Even her close proximity to the death of dogs as a Veterinarian foreshadows how close her relationship with death is in her personal life, and how she could be desensitized to death.
The director Jay Reid had said in an interview that he had seen so many serial killer movies where the killer had a partner, and the partner was never focused on. Even some real life killers had wives or family for whom they almost stopped killing. Jay Reid wanted to explore the family side of that relationship, the love, delusion, and sacrifice it would take, and I thought that was such a clever idea that hadn't really ever been fully explored.
John and Charlie were arguably equal characters, each getting enough time to explore their personal hardships, background, and reasons for doing what they did. This made both of them feel like fully developed characters you felt for, so what happened to them mattered, no matter how dark and twisted they became by the end of it. They were a cute couple inserted against an insane backdrop.
The scene where Charlie mirrors John's treatment of his "dogs" was very powerful, showing just how far Charlie had fallen into madness in her pursuit of happiness and her desire for revenge against the men who wronged her in her life. She was no longer able to subdue her dark nature after it had been unlocked through John's inability to stop killing. She had started out trying to stop John, and ended up becoming what she had wanted to destroy.
I believe the music was exceptionally well chosen. The droning atmospheric horror and the blasting jazzy beats somehow complimented each other and drew out the emotion of each scene in a very meaningful way. The saxophone was unsettling and unexpected, and made for an incredible accompaniment to the horror, violence, and dark sexuality that oozes from this film. It added a sensual suspense with the threat of an explosion at any minute, echoing the relationship between John and both his wife Charlie and his seductress Mia.
Finally, the movie was also respectful to the kink community, and I truly believe it never showed things in a disrespectful light. They had seemingly done their research and done their best to portray a fetish that sits on a fine line with courtesy. The choices made by the director felt believable and true, exactly what you want from a horror movie grounded in reality like this.
So if you are looking for your next horror thriller, this is definitely one I would recommend. Check it out and let us know what you think! Find out where to watch it at https://darkskyfilms.com/film/sick-puppy/
Dualia Review of Sick Puppy Movie:
This movie was the complete opposite of what I expected, in the best possible way. In a landscape where horror films have focused on romantic relationships and their darker sides, (such as “Together” or the acclaimed “Obsession”), the idea of a couple in a horror setting brings to light harmful aspects like codependency or a misguided illusion. But what happens when a couple shares such similar perspectives in life that even your partner’s darkest and most sinister sides make you feel drawn to them?
In the trailer, “Sick Puppy” suggests that you’re going to witness the secrets of a couple facing the harsh reality of having a husband obsessed with violent fetishes. However, within the first five minutes of the movie, it becomes very clear that you have no idea what you're in for. “Sick Puppy” reveals the dark side of a couple willing to accept the darkest desires of the person they love. Charlie is a woman married to a psychopath (a fact she knows and accepts). In the opening minutes, we discover that she’s an accomplice in all of this, supporting her husband and also takimg care of the victims, treating them like pets.
After a series of events, John realizes how his actions might affect his wife, and he puts an end to all his violent acts. From this point on, the film revolves around how both of them put an end to their violent behaviour, but it focuses especially on how Charlie has to deal with the consequences of John’s actions and her own involvement in the crimes, while John fights his natural instincts of attacking a new prey.
The things I liked most about this movie were the instances of dark humour, Charlie's performance, and the fact that Charlie is a Veterinarian and everything around her is about dogs; I also thought it was so clever to make Mia's themed songs a saxophone, which is very intimate and a sexy instrument, suiting her whole character perfectly, who is trying to seduce John.
Charlie's character was well put together, giving you the clean look of a suburban wife; meanwhile, her whole life was falling apart. Charlie, who is trying to leave behind the violent life she's used to, and struggles to cover up what she and her husband have been doing to ensure that her reputation remains intact. The film, as the title suggests, has strong ties to animals, with Charlie being a veterinarian and her actions at work contrasting with what she does at home. There are several references to dogs and other sounds, like birds singing, and the concepts of freedom and other things that show the bond with animals throughout the entire movie, especially with her.
On the other side, the character of Mia is surprisingly different from any other victim. As the younger girl, you might think she could easily be seen as a target, but what we would believe is easy prey is in truth a strong character who isn’t afraid of the way she acts with someone she knows could be a killer, pushing him to his limits! She's a provocative character, as she feels untouchable.
What I didn’t like about the film was that, in certain scenes, the music could have been more epic to heighten the emotional impact. I belive that adding just a touch more comedy would have been more effective too. As a lover of dark comedies and horror comedies, the humorous moments worked very well, but they leave you wanting more, so it seems like they missed a great opportunity.
Sick Puppy is not a movie for everyone, but that is where its uniqueness lies. It hits the point, finding the balance between being disturbing, shocking, and hilarious. This is a movie that will hook you from beginning to end, moving at a great pace throughout. It falls into the dark comedy genre with a quirky twist. It touches on taboos like fetishes and other more controversial topics. Still, at the end of the day, this movie is a must-watch for people who love dark films, can handle mature themes, and want to question their own limits.
FAQ about Sick Puppy film
Is the movie Sick Puppy worth watching?
Yes, it is, for a mature audience that is looking for shocking content and to support high-quality indie horror movies from 2026.
Is Sick Puppy suitable for all audiences?
Absolutely not. Since it touches on adult concepts and has very explicit content, we recommend this only for 19+.
Where can I watch the movie Sick Puppy?
DVD release coming soon.
If you also love puppies as Charlie or John do, take a look at our new dog bandana collection! Available in different sizes for your special furry friend! Thanks for reading this with us. We hope you enjoyed this review. For more information about this and other movies coming soon, keep checking our socials at https://linktr.ee/Sinistercupcakes . We thank all the cast and crew of Sick Puppy, especially Ray Hoang, for their kind invitation to watch this amazing film. We will always be grateful to be a part of incredible experiences like this. We will see you all in the next review!
