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Stray is an evocative and poignant documentary film directed by Elizabeth Lo, released in 2020. Unconventionally staring non-human subjects, the film gives audiences a stray dog's street-level view of life in Istanbul, a city famous for its rich history, cultural intersections, and significant stray dog population. The film follows three central canine characters: Zeytin, a wise and soulful tan-colored dog; Nazar, her assertive and protective companion; and the shy puppy Kartal, each offering a unique perspective on life on the margins.

The documentary film Stray is shot in observational style, with no narration and spare dialogue, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the purely visual and auditory experience. The camera follows at paw level, allowing audiences to discover the rhythms and routines of these animals as they navigate the bustling metropolis. Stray deploys an intimate approach that humanizes its subjects, presenting various facets of their existence with empathy and respect.

The lead character, Zeytin, with her deep, expressive eyes, becomes a guide for the viewer through the streets of Istanbul, revealing the everyday occurrences and surprises that life offers outside the human perspective. Her journey intertwines with that of the other two stray dogs, Nazar and Kartal. Through their interactions with each other and with the humans they encounter, Stray paints a multifaceted portrait of societal relationships and the urban environment.

In the background of the dogs’ wanderings, the city itself is a character: vibrant, chaotic, and layered with history. The streets of Istanbul, as seen through the eyes of its stray inhabitants, tell stories of both resilience and vulnerability. As Zeytin and her companions explore diverse neighborhoods—from high-end districts to impoverished areas—the contrast within the city weaves a rich tapestry that parallels their own experiences.

Stray dives deep into the philosophical and sociological underpinnings of the human-animal connection, exploring themes such as dignity, exclusion, and survival without sentimentality or anthropomorphism. The film also touches upon the legal and cultural standing of strays in Istanbul, showcasing how the animals are both revered and shunned, protected by laws that prevent their captivity and killing, yet still living on the edge of society.

Beyond following these engaging canines, the film also intersects with groups of young Syrian refugees who find solace and companionship in these animals. These interactions create a parallel narrative, painting a picture of solidarity between the strays and the dispossessed, as both search for belonging and a sense of home against a backdrop of systemic indifference.

The film's cinematography is one of its most striking elements, crafting a vivid, almost tactile experience. Cinematographer Elizabeth Lo's camera is agile and unobtrusive, capturing the nuance of movement and emotion. The low-angle shots convey the world from the dogs' point of view, while the soundscape—a melange of city sounds, human voices, and the ambient noise of nature—further immerses the audience in the dogs' sensory experience.

Stray's lack of conventional narrative structure underscores its commitment to realism and the portrayal of a spontaneous existence. Each scene feels like a vignette, a self-contained moment of life that, when strung together, offers a glimpse into the broader picture of living without a permanent shelter or a defined purpose other than surviving and finding joy in the moment.

The documentary also presents a subtle critique of human society. By following the strays, it reveals the inconsistencies and idiosyncrasies of human attitudes toward animals and each other. The viewer is left to reflect on themes of freedom versus captivity, the meaning of community, and what it means to live a good life.

Stray does not offer grand resolutions or epic journeys; instead, it provides an observation of life that champions the unnoticed and everyday. It is a film that asks its audience to slow down, to look, and perhaps to reconsider the world from a perspective that is often overlooked or disregarded.

Elizabeth Lo's Stray is a meditative and insightful work that resists the urge to anthropomorphize its subjects, presenting the lives of Zeytin, Nazar, and Kartal with a quiet dignity. Through the three dogs, the film invites audiences to question and uncover the profound connections that exist between living beings, regardless of species, and exposes the societal constructions that separate and define us. Stray is an enduring documentary film that stays with the viewer long after the credits roll, a testament to the power of observation and the resonance of lives lived on the edge.

Stray is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 12 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 83.