Wag the Dog
Film

Wag the Dog (1997)

2 critics 2 lists ★ 6.9 TMDb 97 min ComedyDrama

During the final weeks of a presidential race, the President is accused of sexual misconduct. To distract the public until the election, the President's adviser hires a Hollywood producer to help him stage a fake war.

Movies like Wag the Dog ↓

Where to watchStreaming availability by region · data by JustWatch

The Generation GapWhat our critics say

The Lore Architect
The Lore ArchitectMillennial

When the news cycle gets wild, Wag the Dog reminds us how easily narratives can be constructed and manipulated. The idea of manufacturing a war to distract from a scandal feels less outlandish with every passing year. It’s a masterclass in political spin and media complicity, brilliantly showcasing the blurred lines between reality and staged events, especially in an age of constant information overload.

from “7 Movies That Just Hit Different When The News Cycle Gets Wild” →
The Vibe Detector
The Vibe DetectorGen Z

This one's like, what if PR spin wasn't just spin, but a whole fake war to distract from a presidential scandal? De Niro and Hoffman are pulling strings, making us wonder how much of what we see on our screens is actually real. It's a dark comedy, but the laughs kinda stick in your throat because, well, it feels too plausible. Seriously, this movie aged like fine wine, reminding us how easily narratives can be manufactured and consumed. The system's PR game is strong.

from “6 Flicks That Remind You The System Is Always System-ing” →

Featured in 2 lists

6 Flicks That Remind You The System Is Always System-ing 7 Movies That Just Hit Different When The News Cycle Gets Wild

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