Quartile rating: 8.5/10 · 1 rating
On Quartile, A Dog's Will scores 8.5/10 across five categories — strongest on Plot (Well Above Average), weakest on Cinematography (Above Average).
Ranked among Quartile’s Top Plot, Top Acting.
The lively João Grilo and the sly Chicó are poor guys living in the hinterland who cheat a bunch of people in a small town in Northeastern Brazil. When they die, they have to be judged by Christ, the Devil and the Virgin Mary before they are admitted to paradise.
A Dog's Will (O Auto da Compadecida) is a celebrated Brazilian classic adapted from Ariano Suassuna's beloved play. The plot is richly layered, blending picaresque comedy, social satire, and theological fantasy with remarkable wit and narrative momentum — a genuine 4. The acting, led by Mateus Nachtergaele and Selton Mello, is exceptional and deeply rooted in the Northeastern Brazilian comedic tradition, earning a 4. Cinematography is competent and evocative of the sertão setting but doesn't push beyond solid craftsmanship, landing at 3. Novelty is high — the film's voice, tone, and blend of folk Catholic mysticism, northeastern Brazilian humor, and theatrical heritage make it genuinely one-of-a-kind, earning a 4. The ending — the divine judgment sequence — is both emotionally resonant and thematically triumphant, a well-earned 4.