The arrival of a free-spirited stray dog transforms a lonely woman's life, exposing deeply held wounds and a longing for connection that is buried beneath the surface of her stoic exterior.
A portrait of independent womanhood in unforgiving surrounds, La Perra trades heavily in matters that resist easy explanation.
La Perra 2026
On an island off the coast of Chile, Silvia lives a quiet life, supporting herself by selling seaweed and tending to the mansion of an absent owner. After she finds a stranded puppy on the beach, which she names Yuri, they immediately become inseparable. As she and her new companion grow closer, Yuri's free spirit clashes with her own, creating a bond that is as turbulent as it is affectionate. When Yuri gets spooked by fireworks and runs away, Silvia relives the abandonment she experienced as a child and must confront the trauma she carries within herself head on.
Anchored by a reserved performance by Manuela Oyarzún and an award-winning turn from her canine co-star Yuri, who received the esteemed Palme Dog at this year's Cannes Film Festival, La Perra uses its non-linear structure to explore the complicated relationship dynamics of pet and owner. Eschewing the melodrama and sentimentality of the typical animal-focused story, the film paints a portrait of loss, grief and independence, revealing how close relationships, whether human or animal, can expose the knots left behind by long buried traumas.
– Jordan Salomen