“‘Perfect’ Movie Takes Netflix by Storm”

Dog-Narrated Tearjerker Races Up Netflix Charts After UK Debut

A heartwarming film told from the perspective of a golden retriever has taken Netflix by storm, quickly becoming one of the platform’s most-watched titles in the UK.

The Art of Racing in the Rain, a 2019 comedy-drama based on Garth Stein’s bestselling novel, has left viewers deeply moved—and often in tears. The story follows Denny Swift, a Formula One driver juggling his career, his family, and his loyal dog Enzo, who believes he’ll one day be reincarnated as a human.

Kevin Costner lends his voice to Enzo, delivering what some fans call one of his most heartfelt performances—despite never appearing on screen. Milo Ventimiglia and Amanda Seyfried also star in the Simon Curtis-directed adaptation.

Although critics were divided on the film’s sentimentality, audiences have embraced it for its emotional depth and optimism. “It really shouldn’t work,” noted The Sunday Times, “yet somehow it steers a course between corniness and charm… by the end, I was crying like a baby.”

Fans online have echoed the sentiment. “Perfect. There’s no other way to describe it,” one viewer wrote on Rotten Tomatoes, while another warned: “Have tissues at hand.”

Now sitting at number six on Netflix UK’s most-watched list, the film’s resurgence proves its enduring appeal. Ventimiglia described the project as “a very human story” with “real-life stakes” and praised the unique perspective of a soulful dog observing his owner’s journey through life.

“I was crying just like everybody else,” he admitted after seeing the film for the first time. “It had magic—without trying too hard.”