MY DOG SKIP
A faithful, hopeful coming-of-age story for older children and adults.
Should You Watch It?
MY DOG SKIP is an unusually well-made family movie. Its character studies are strong, its story is elegant, and its emotional center is the friendship between a lonely boy and the dog who helps him grow up.
The film also offers positive references to faith and everyday concerns. Its minor vulgarities and obscenities keep it from being completely clean, and younger children may find it less accessible because it lacks simple fun. Older children and adults, however, are likely to find a faithful, hopeful, uplifting story here.
For a thoughtful family movie night with older children, WORTH THE TRIP.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESIn 1942, 8-year-old Willie Morris lives in Yazoo, Mississippi, with his overly protective father and loving mother. Willie has no friends to invite to his birthday party, but everything changes when his mother gives him a little dog named Skip.
The two become inseparable. Through friendship, bullies, war, first romance, and life in a small Southern town, Skip helps Willie find courage and grow toward adulthood.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is a standout family film. MY DOG SKIP is elegant, literary, very well crafted, and filled with great character studies. Its construction is one of its chief strengths, giving the coming-of-age story emotional weight without losing its family focus.
The film is not aimed mainly at younger children's simple sense of fun. That limits its accessibility for some of Willie’s 8-year-old contemporaries, but it does not diminish the film’s craftsmanship or its hopeful, uplifting tone.
The Worldview
MY DOG SKIP presents a moral worldview with a positive reference to God and a picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The film also contains some minor humanist elements, but its central vision is shaped by loyalty, courage, friendship, and the moral growth of a child.
The story treats growing up as a movement beyond isolation and fear. Willie learns through Skip, his friendships, and his challenges, while the adults around him face the wounds and responsibilities of life. The film’s faith references are positive, even though it does not present a fully developed biblical theology.
Its vision of faithful love and moral formation aligns with Scripture’s call to teach children wisely and patiently: “Train up a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Moral worldview with a positive reference to God, a picture of the sacred heart of Jesus, as well as some minor humanist elements; 11 obscenities, a reference to fear causing someone to relieve themselves in their clothes & implicitly rebuked minor references to sissy & anti-black statements; minor violence such as dog gets slapped, boy gets pushed around by bullies, bullies gang up on boy, bootleggers threaten boy, bootleggers hit dog with shovel off-screen, deer shot, & dog attacks Adolph Hitler dummy in crotch area; no sex but incipient romance of two children; no nudity; alcohol use; smoking; and, references to witch in graveyard to scare young boy.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Willie begins as a lonely child and grows through friendship and courage. How can God use friendship to help us become less fearful and more loving?
Proverbs 27:17 · 2 Timothy 1:7Willie faces bullying and a difficult dare in the cemetery. What is the difference between courage and simply trying to impress other people?
Joshua 1:9 · Galatians 1:10Willie’s father is overly protective because he fears his son will be hurt. How can parents protect children while also helping them grow in wisdom and courage?
Ephesians 6:4 · Proverbs 22:6The story presents faith, loyalty, and growing up as important parts of life. Which of these virtues do you most need to practice right now?
Micah 6:8 · Philippians 4:8The Final Word
MY DOG SKIP is a rare family film that combines excellent craftsmanship with a faithful, hopeful story. Younger children may want more simple fun, and families should note the vulgarities and other minor content concerns. For older children and adults, it is WORTH THE TRIP.
