Appalachian Dog

On first impression, the thing that stood out most from this period drama is its picturesque cinematography. The gorgeous Appalachian nature is captured beautifully, transporting you to the world of the film immediately. It's not just visual, the production team does well at capturing the ambience of the vista through well thought out sound mixing. With that, it's easy to immerse yourself in the post-war rural setting, where things are quiet on the outside, but really turbulent on the inside.

The plot revolves around Marion and Teddy Henry, a newly reunited seamstress couple following the end of World War II. What should have been a happy reunion quickly shows the strain in the marriage instead. A crippling post-war PTSD makes things worse, as is the pile of lies that build the illusion of a happy marriage. Amid it all, the Henrys constantly try to do right by each other - but circumstances and the lack of proper communications keep them further and further away. Can this young couple overcome this?

That is the gist of the 90 minute feature film.

The screenplay truly packs on the melodrama: the Henrys and their surrounding characters go through one thing after another relentlessly. You can tell that these courteous neighbors harbor untold resentments, things that slowly unfold as time passes. There are times when things feel a bit repetitive, like you wish they would just sit down and really come clean about their grievances. You can clearly feel the middle of the story stretch, but then perhaps slice-of-life is the goal here.

Surprisingly, the story is best when it focuses on the many women storylines in the film - kudos to director and actor Colin Henning for surrounding himself with complex women figures for this. They are meant to be the B-plots, but the terrific performances sell them, especially the characters of Peggie and Cate.

Gorgeously shot and thought provoking, Appalachian Dog might occasionally get bogged down by sappy melodrama, but it still has plenty of bite thanks to its vivid characters.

I watched Appalachian Dog over the weekend after purchasing it on Amazon Prime, and I was thoroughly impressed. Not only were the performances outstanding, but the film was beautifully shot and edited. Colin Henning-director, writer, and star of the film-masterfully captures the raw emotions of characters struggling to adjust to life in a post-war world.

Georgia Morgan, Hayleigh Hart Franklin, and Brooke Elizabeth round out the principal cast, each delivering a standout performance. Excited to see what's next from the rising production company, C. H. Squared Films!

The film is also available on several streaming platforms, including Tubi (which is free)!

Appalachian Dog is a beautifully crafted Southern Gothic drama that delves deep into the complexities of love, loss, and identity in post-World War II Appalachia. Directed, written, and led by Colin Henning, the film offers a poignant exploration of a man returning home to a world that has irrevocably changed.

Writer-director Colin Henning, who also stars as Teddy Henry, crafts a slow-burning narrative that delves into the complexities of post-war reintegration and shifting personal dynamics. Henning's portrayal of Teddy is nuanced, capturing the internal turmoil of a man out of sync with his surroundings. Morgan delivers a compelling performance as Marion, embodying a woman torn between duty and desire. Franklin's Peggie brings depth and authenticity, highlighting the societal challenges of the era.

The film's cinematography is a standout, with Aidan Macaluso capturing the Appalachian landscape in all its raw beauty. The use of natural lighting and ambient sounds immerses the viewer, creating an atmosphere that's both intimate and expansive.

While some critics have noted areas where the film could delve deeper into character backstories or streamline its narrative, Appalachian Dog stands as a powerful meditation on love, identity, and the struggle to reconnect with a world that no longer feels the same.

Appalachian Dog is a testament to the power of subtle storytelling, offering a rich tapestry of human emotion set against the backdrop of a changing world. Yes, the pacing is slow, but that's part of its strength. It allows space for reflection and immersion. If you appreciate character-driven stories with emotional depth and poetic visuals, this film is absolutely worth your time.

The narrative unfolds slowly, unhurried by modern pacing, which may not appeal to every viewer. Yet that deliberate rhythm feels authentic. It gives space for the silences to speak volumes.

Appalachian Dog is not merely a film; it's a mood, a place, a feeling. It invites you to sit with discomfort, reckon with history, and find the beauty in brokenness.

I did not know what to expect when I picked up 'Appalachian Dog'; the 2025 period drama from Colin Henning. Maybe I liked its poster or maybe its title gave me a sense of wonder. What began as a slow descent into an exploration of love and connection transformed into something else entirely by the time the credits rolled. I took some time to process what I had seen and then it hit me, what I had seen was beautiful.

There is so much to appreciate in this film and yet, I will not be able to do it justice (you will have to see the film for yourself, dear viewer). From the characters to their subtle nuances, Henning knows to craft a story. This is a film that explores the volatile and fiery links between relationships and desires and how the two lead to unintended consequences. Set in isolation, the story is a basket case of how specific circumstances affect complex human lives.

Colin Henning both writes and directs this feature and I had no idea this was his first foray into directing until I went on the internet later. From the narrative heft to perfectly paced editing, Henning directs the story like a maestro. He knows when to push the story in first gear and when to hold back, allowing the audience to truly take in the emotional beats.

The acting is fantastic as each actor manages to infuse their character with the authenticity needed. In the technical realm, the film manages to soar above and beyond. The cinematography is stunning; with Henning making sure to use both lighting and colors to add another layer to the story. The editing is great as well, making the film a joy to sit through.

Deftly combining humor and tension, Appalachian Dog manages to deeply explore the nuance of relationships and desire and how these two work both in tandem and in conflict with one another. This film is a triumph and it managed to move me, impress me and give me a deep sense of wonder as to how we don't truly appreciate the complexities of human relationships. I loved every second of Appalachian Dog and I cannot recommend this film enough.

Where to begin? First, the story is captivating, the acting superb, and the cinematography breathtaking.

The film was written and directed by Colin Henning. Henning also starred in the film, along with Georgia Morgan, Hayleigh Hart Franklin, and Brooke Elizabeth.

From the first scene of the movie, I found myself transported back to a simpler time in beautiful 1946 Appalachia. The setting of this movie is gorgeous.

The story is about a man who returns from war to find that life back home has moved on without him, and he must determine if there is still a place for him.

The path the storyline takes is unexpected at times, yet believable and compelling. I felt myself holding my breath at times because of the tension in even the most ordinary situations - thanks to the editing and sound; the droning of the wind, the crashing of the river - it was all very unsettling and suspenseful. I highly recommend this film if you're looking for something intense and unexpected!