7 Dogs is the kind of film that makes you appreciate the effort behind the production even when the story does not completely convince you. Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, the film clearly wants to show that Arab cinema can deliver an action movie on an international scale. It has huge locations, impressive stunts, fast car chases and a strong international cast. However, the biggest problem is that the writing does not always match the size and ambition of what is happening on screen.
The film brings Egyptian stars Ahmed Ezz and Karim Abdel Aziz together in contrasting roles. Ezz plays an Interpol agent, while Abdel Aziz plays a criminal who is forced to work with him when they find themselves facing a powerful international drug syndicate. The basic idea is familiar, but the film does not try too hard to create a completely new version of the action genre. Instead, it focuses on making everything bigger and more visually impressive.
And that is where 7 Dogs works best. The action has real energy, with the camera constantly moving and giving the film a fast and aggressive feel. The desert locations look impressive, while the car chases are among the strongest parts of the movie. The action choreography and camerawork work well together, creating moments that genuinely feel large and cinematic.
However, the film sometimes goes overboard. It uses animation, slow motion, different camera styles and several visual techniques throughout the story. While many of these ideas look interesting individually, their constant use can make the film feel more like a collection of filmmaking tricks than one smooth visual experience.
The record breaking stunt explosion is another example. The production reportedly created the largest film stunt explosion to set a Guinness World Records achievement. It is certainly an impressive technical accomplishment, but the sequence itself does not feel as important to the story as its huge scale suggests.
The writing is ultimately the weakest part of the film. There is plenty of action, but the characters are not developed deeply enough. The international crime story also feels fairly simple, despite the massive production surrounding it. The film keeps moving, but not every event feels equally meaningful.
Thankfully, Ahmed Ezz and Karim Abdel Aziz bring energy to the movie. Their pairing has the feel of a classic action comedy partnership, with two very different characters being forced to work together. Abdel Aziz, in particular, has an easy screen presence and often manages to stand out.
The international cast includes Monica Bellucci, Giancarlo Esposito and Martin Lawrence, but their roles do not always give them enough material. Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt also appear and will naturally attract attention from Indian audiences. However, their parts are limited and feel more like supporting appearances than major additions to the story.
What makes 7 Dogs interesting beyond the film itself is what it represents. Riyadh has been presented as a production location capable of supporting a large international action movie. The film shows that Saudi Arabia has the locations, infrastructure and resources needed for projects of this scale.
Overall, 7 Dogs is neither a complete success nor a major disappointment. It is entertaining, technically impressive and packed with action, but the writing keeps it from becoming something truly memorable. The film proves that Arab cinema can think big. The next step is to create a story that is just as powerful as the spectacle.
Movie: 7 Dogs
Directed by: Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah
Featuring: Ahmed Ezz, Karim Abdel Aziz, Monica Bellucci, Nasser Al Qasabi, Sayed Ragab, Tara Emad, Sandy Bella, Giancarlo Esposito, , Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Menna Shalabi, Hana El Zahed
Cinematography: Robrecht Heyvaert
Edited by: Pieter Smet
Theatrical Release Date (India): 21 August 2026
Run Time: 2hrs 5mins
Languages: Hindi (Dub)
Critic Rating: 2.5/5
7 Dogs
2.5