Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
Nearly every time ‘Caramelo’, the paw-tastic hero of the 2025 Brazilian came on screen, I squealed ‘so cute!’.
Directed by Diego Freitas, who’s co-written the film with Rod Azevedo, and Vitor Brandt, the plot follows the adventures of an irresistibly scruffy stray who barges into the life of Pedro (Rafael Vitti), a single sous chef living alone. Having a pet is the last thing on Pedro’s mind, but the playful dog quite literally storms his apartment and his heart.
If you’ve ever come across those viral clips of men who didn’t want a pet, only to end up doting on them endlessly, this film feels like a feature-length version of that story. Pedro initially tries to hand the dog over to a shelter but can’t bring himself to go through with it. “What should I name a caramel-colored dog?” the chef muses, and just like that, Caramelo gets his name.
Caramelo also ends up playing cupid, bringing romance into Pedro’s life through Camila (Arianne Botelho), the spirited trainer who runs the dog school he’s enrolled in. So, when Pedro is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, Caramelo’s boundless energy and affection help him through the darkest days, along with the unwavering support of friends, both old and new.
The film’s slick visuals might make some think Caramelo’s a CGI creation, but it’s a real rescue dog named Amendoim, the undeniable star of this Brazilian story, even if the humans dominate the screen. The narrative is fairly familiar in structure and will likely resonate more strongly with dog lovers than with a broader audience.
With a fun, upbeat background score, a rowdy but cute dog protagonist, ‘Caramelo’ is a fun one-time watch. Its climax unfolds as a tender montage of happiness, a perfect send-off that sees Pedro and his faithful pet enjoying one last beach day by the sea.
Rating: 7 on 10. Watch ‘Caramelo’ on Netflix.
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