Over the years, foreign films have set themselves miles apart from those normally seen in the United States. This could be due to fewer restrictions regarding budgets, casting, and areas to film. The Columbian film “Dog Eat Dog” is no different and establishes itself as a gritty crime drama.

The film follows Victor Peñaranda, played by Marlon Moreno, a Columbian enforcer looking for a way out to help his family. After a failed assignment, he is paired with Eusebio Benitez, played by Oscar Borda, to find a large amount of money stolen from a mob boss known as “El Orejon”. Their journey together takes various ups and downs, as well as revealing personal demons in both men.

The part of the film that stands out the most is the way the film is shot. From the beginning, it sets a fast pace and does not slow down, which is common among foreign films. The Columbian setting provides a perfect backdrop throughout the film and adds a sense of aesthetic pleasure on the eyes. While the violent nature of the film may drive viewers away, the film isn’t too gory in any sense. The use of blood is appropriate at times, and is subtle enough to keep viewers interested. The film was also nominated for a Goya Award in 2008, which is Spain’s most notable film award.

While the performances won’t blow you away, they are effective enough to carry the film. The performances by Moreno and Benitez make you invest in the storyline and what each character represents. Both add a good balance too each other, one trying to get out of the lifestyle he is in, and the other dealing with his own problems as a result of the lifestyle. It is an interesting dynamic that blends together well.

Overall, “Dog Eat Dog” entertains as a rough crime film masked as a foreign film. If you can get past the subtitles enjoy violent imagery in film, then this is for you. It is now streaming for free on Netflix.