Top 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsMost Popular Video GamesMost Popular Music VideosMost Popular Podcasts
    Release CalendarBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
Sign In
New Customer? Create account
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
IMDbPro

Doug

  • 20202020
  • 2h 13m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
30
YOUR RATING
Doug (2020)
Drama
Unknown actor Doug Bridgers will stop at nothing to establish himself as a leading man in the always evolving Hollywood Film Industry.Unknown actor Doug Bridgers will stop at nothing to establish himself as a leading man in the always evolving Hollywood Film Industry.Unknown actor Doug Bridgers will stop at nothing to establish himself as a leading man in the always evolving Hollywood Film Industry.
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
30
YOUR RATING
    • Jonathan Latona
    • Jonathan Latona
  • Stars
    • Abby Craden
    • Nicole Danielle Watts
    • Vered Blonstein
    • Jonathan Latona
    • Jonathan Latona
  • Stars
    • Abby Craden
    • Nicole Danielle Watts
    • Vered Blonstein
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1User review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Photos17

    Jon Michael Lawrence in Doug (2020)
    Zack Zublena in Doug (2020)
    Zack Zublena in Doug (2020)
    Doug Burch in Doug (2020)
    Doug Burch and Jon Michael Lawrence in Doug (2020)
    Doug Burch in Doug (2020)
    Sokrates Frantzis in Doug (2020)
    Doug Burch and Jonathan Latona in Doug (2020)
    Doug Burch, Jonathan Latona, and Schuyler Dalenberg in Doug (2020)
    Jonathan Latona and Schuyler Dalenberg in Doug (2020)
    Doug Burch, Jonathan Latona, and Nancy Kramer in Doug (2020)
    Doug Burch and Jonathan Latona in Doug (2020)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Abby Craden
    Abby Craden
    • Ex-Wife
    Nicole Danielle Watts
    Nicole Danielle Watts
    • Cafe Patron
    • (as Nicole Watts)
    Vered Blonstein
    Vered Blonstein
    • Candice
    Nancy Kramer
    Nancy Kramer
    • Receptionist
    Branden Garrett
    Branden Garrett
    • Actor
    Randy Oppenheimer
    Randy Oppenheimer
    • Motel Manager
    Doug Burch
    Doug Burch
    • Doug Bridgers
    Zack Zublena
    Zack Zublena
    • Laurel Landry
    Jon Michael Lawrence
    Jon Michael Lawrence
    • Gil
    Cindy Chavez
    Cindy Chavez
    • Casting Director
    • (as Cindy Varon)
    Christian Sullivan
    Christian Sullivan
    • Donnie
    Jeremy Jordan
    Jeremy Jordan
    • Tony
    Jonathan Lev
    Jonathan Lev
    • Cafe Patron
    Lilly Ivring
    Lilly Ivring
    • Partygoer
    Morgan Eliza Hill
    Morgan Eliza Hill
    • Sarah
    Sokrates Frantzis
    Sokrates Frantzis
    • Arthur Tinklenberg
    Ylenia Mino
    Ylenia Mino
    • Partygoer
    Jonathan Latona
    Jonathan Latona
    • Production Assistant
      • Jonathan Latona
      • Jonathan Latona
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    User reviews1

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    A jamesthefilmcritic review:
    Jonathan Latona's full-length feature debut is a tenaciously spirited rush that carries passion in abundance. Resuscitating the film industry, DOUG (2020) won't go down without a fight.

    Doug Bridgers (Doug Burch) is a worn-down actor looking for a career breakthrough, but as he trudges through an evolving film industry, he only finds more questions.

    Winner of three awards at this year's Film Invasion Los Angeles, the film's pros weighs greater than its cons, revealing what can be accomplished when having a story to tell and a unique way of telling it. A lack of resources shouldn't stifle creativity... and within a year of trepidation and turmoil, I rather enjoyed DOUG.

    Director Jonathan Latona utilizes every tool at his disposal to create an immersive, intelligent picture. DOUG is initially shot in monochrome which immediately establishes negative energy when offset against the juxtaposition of the vibrant city life. From that point, the use of colour is used sparingly with negative connotations. A smart spin on the formulaic colour pallet of cinema. With this in mind, it could be argued that the monochrome setting is a metaphor for Doug's career. Washed up. The award-winning cinematography serves a broader purpose than to ensure the film is esthetically pleasing. It carries the tone.

    There is a brief scene in which Doug is attacked. However, this is romanticised, creating an appealing look to the setbacks and inner pain, as though Doug relishes in the chase.

    Incidentally, my favourite scene is midway through the film where Doug is seemingly becoming comfortable in his skin. The mood shifts to reflect his confidence, yet Latona manages to sustain an eerie sense that Doug is battling his inner demons. It sets an ambiguous tone for the remaining duration. An ingenious showcase of filmmaking that may have otherwise been overlooked.

    DOUG owes a great debt to BIRDMAN (2014) in its vision and depiction of an ageing actor, circled by the next generation of talent and losing a sense of self-worth. Though, DOUG is self-aware. The persistent quick cuts convey a charming integrity. There is also a reference to Todd Phillips' JOKER (2019) ("Your life isn't a tragedy" ... "It's a comedy") which did make me anxious. There's an incredibly thin line when referencing such impactful films, however, this is done subtly and isn't repeated. Whether intentional or not, it can be forgiven as a homage that presents parallels between Doug and Arthur Fleck and their awkwardness within society.

    Doug's isolation is examined by the environment around him. The production, with limited reserves, manage to capture Doug's solitude through minute details. Rather than using vast open land or grand ominous interiors, a technique deployed to great effect throughout the history of film, Doug's inferiority is explored in comparison to the company he shares. He's often stood alone with a group of people across from him.

    A striking example of this is during Doug's numerous auditions. Burch establishes inferiority and in doing so his auditions become more eccentric and brash.

    There's a moment whereby a casting director asks Doug if he can give her different levels "You seem angry. It's too loud and it's one-note." Having been given this advice, Doug continues to vent his anger. Doug's inability to self analyse is reflected in the standout ingredient of the film. The sound. It often clashes with the dialogue in a battle of wills and if I'm honest, I wasn't sure if I was completely sold. As I went with the film and immersed myself I found myself to be experiencing Doug's angst simultaneously. It's a remarkably brave decision to repeat this technique for large durations of the feature but I found that it embellished the film's identity.

    It would be remiss of me not to mention the pacing of DOUG. It does veer off at certain points and I do believe that the overall runtime could have been reduced. Each scene does merit its place but some are a little baggy and may have benefited from being tightened... Nevertheless, I didn't care. It feels authentic. It's a cognizant project that isn't afraid of taking risks. In many ways, DOUG is a social commentary on the security of film and those within the industry. So good for it. Give DOUG a chance. An inexpensive, refreshing film that has emerged as my pound for pound treat of the year.
    helpful•6
    2
    • enquiries-69698
    • Mar 14, 2021

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 11, 2020 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • JohnnyBoy Productions
      • Little Dog Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 2 hours 13 minutes
      • Black and White
      • Color

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Doug (2020)
    Top Gap
    By what name was Doug (2020) officially released in Canada in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2023 by IMDb.com, Inc.