A Dog's Purpose
A warmhearted but emotionally demanding drama in which a dog is reincarnated through several lives and owners, spanning decades. Repeated on-screen animal deaths, domestic violence, a kidnapping, a house fire, and a shooting make the film heavier than its PG rating suggests.
Harm to childrenHarm to animalsMedical traumaGraphic violence & goreAbuse & manipulationSubstance abuse
If you’d rather skip
A puppy is caught in a dog catcher's net; the screen cuts to black and the narration implies euthanasia -- death is not shown.
Ethan's drunk father shoves his mother to the ground; Ethan physically intervenes and forces his father to leave. Domestic violence is shown directly and is distressing.
The father's alcoholism is established here and referenced by other characters, including a scene where a teammate mocks Ethan about his drunk father.