Anne Hathaway has revealed the unusual thing that she believes should automatically ensure a film gets an R-rating and it’s something that a lot of people will likely get behind.
Speaking in an interview with Complex, the actress outlined that a dog dying in a film should mean that it is rated R, regardless of what other content it contains. The Oscar winner declared that it doesn’t matter whether there is violence, cursing, or any other sensitive scenes in the movie, a dog death would see it receive the restricted rating from the Motion Picture Association.
The topic arose from Hathaway’s latest role in the sci-fi movie “The End of Oak Street,” which prominently features a pet blue heeler dog. Trailers suggested the beloved family pet could be in danger, leading to worry among viewers about whether the animal survives to the end.
Spoiler Warning: There are some spoilers for “The End of Oak Street” below.
Anne Hathaway Thinks Dog Deaths Deserve an R Rating
When asked about the fact that many fans have seemingly been worried about seeing the pet dog die during the events of the film, Hathaway was quick to point out that she believes such an act should lead to an R-rating.
“I feel like movies that kill dogs should automatically be rated R,” she explained. “Doesn’t matter if anybody curses, doesn’t matter if there’s violence, if a dog dies, R-rated.”
She added, “Somebody was like, can you just let the audiences know that, like, it’s all gonna be OK? We break rules in this movie, that might not be one of them. Don’t worry.”
She added that previous films might have left audiences scarred.
Hathaway believes that films such as “John Wick,” which sees Keanu Reeves’ character embark on his mission or vengeance after a mobster kills his pet, may have traumatized some filmgoers.
‘The End of Oak Street’ Dog Survives
Hathaway’s latest movie comes on the back of an incredibly busy year, with the actress appearing in a string of blockbusters such as “The Odyssey” and “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
Her latest release is rated PG-13 and Hathaway also revealed that the dog in the film survives to the end. That may be reassuring to those who may be planning to go and see it but were put off at the possibility that the dog could die.
Hathaway’s revelation is particularly useful because “The End of Oak Street” puts its central family, and their dog, in considerable danger. Hathaway plays Denise Platt opposite Ewan McGregor as her husband, Greg. Their seemingly ordinary suburban existence is turned upside down when a mysterious cosmic event transports their home into a dangerous reality.
Anne Hathaway Is a Longtime Dog Lover
It isn’t entirely surprising that Hathaway has such strong feelings about dogs. She has a long history of being an animal lover and has supported a number of dog rescue and adoption charities.
Her family has also owned a number of dogs over the years, including a Labrador called Esmeralda. Hathaway’s family is also set to expand in the near future, with the actress announcing that she is expecting her third child with husband Adam Shulman.
