Last of the Dogmen 2 (2025)

Thirty years after the original film quietly became a cult classic, Last of the Dogmen 2 (2025) returns to the wilds of Montana with reverence, maturity, and a story that embraces the legacy of the Cheyenne people while introducing a new generation of protectors.

Directed by Taylor Sheridan, the sequel is set decades after bounty hunter Lewis Gates (played originally by Tom Berenger) discovered a hidden Cheyenne tribe untouched by modern civilization. In Last of the Dogmen 2, we meet Emma Gates (played by Kaitlyn Dever), Lewis’s granddaughter, a skilled anthropologist who inherits her grandfather’s journal after his mysterious death. Drawn by his stories—and whispers that the Dog Soldiers may still live—Emma sets out to retrace his steps into the misty Bitterroot Mountains.

The film masterfully balances myth, action, and reflection. Emma’s journey is both physical and emotional, as she confronts not just the wilderness, but the ethical weight of discovery. Should the past be preserved—or protected from the modern world entirely?

The Dog Soldiers, portrayed by Indigenous actors including Michael Greyeyes and Tanaya Beatty, are not mythic relics, but a living, breathing society with their own laws, language, and strength. The film avoids romanticizing or exploiting Native culture, choosing instead to center their voice and perspective. It’s one of the sequel’s greatest strengths.

Cinematographer Ben Richardson (known for Wind River and Yellowstone) captures Montana’s untouched landscapes in sweeping, golden tones, while the original score—echoing themes from the 1995 film—adds emotional weight to moments of silence, connection, and danger.

While slower paced than typical adventure films, Last of the Dogmen 2 thrives on atmosphere and character. The tension builds not through battles, but through the threat of exposure. As drone surveillance and government agencies close in, the tribe faces a terrible choice: disappear again, or fight for sovereignty in a world that’s already taken too much.

Sheridan’s script asks tough questions about cultural preservation, historical guilt, and what it truly means to “leave something wild.” The film ends on a quiet but powerful note, honoring both past and present without trying to neatly resolve everything.

Last of the Dogmen 2 is not just a sequel—it’s a respectful continuation that gives voice to those history tried to forget. It’s haunting, beautiful, and well worth the journey.