Actress Anne Hathaway has called for films that depict the death of a dog to automatically receive an R rating, suggesting that such scenes leave audiences traumatized. Hathaway, 43, believes that the impact of fictional canine deaths warrants a higher age restriction, comparable to an 18 rating in the UK, which requires viewers to be over 17.
During an interview with Complex Pop, Hathaway stated that while cursing and violence may not necessitate an R rating, the death of a dog should be an automatic trigger. "If a dog dies, it's R-rated," she asserted. She pointed to the "John Wick" franchise, specifically the first film released in 2014, where the main character's puppy is killed. Hathaway noted the widespread fear among moviegoers about potential dog deaths in films, remarking, "I think everybody's so traumatized by John Wick. Because I've been seeing those too, like, 'They better not kill the dog'."
Hathaway is currently promoting her new film, "The End of Oak Street," which features an Australian cattle dog named Starbuck. She described the canine actor as "the undisputed star of the film."
She cited several well-known films with significant dog deaths, including the 1957 classic "Old Yeller" (G-rated), "Marley & Me" (2008, PG-13), and "I Am Legend" (2007, PG-13). Hathaway's stance has resonated with audiences, with many agreeing in the comments of the interview video. Some viewers mentioned using websites like doesthedogdie.com to check for such content before watching movies.
Hathaway and her husband, Adam Shulman, own two dogs: a chocolate Labrador named Esmeralda and a spaniel-terrier mix named Kenobi. The couple are parents to two sons and are expecting their third child.