Wag the Dog was released in 1997 and remains a strikingly relevant film even today. Directed by Barry Levinson, it explores themes that were far ahead of its time. The story anticipates a world where media manipulation, spin, and distraction dominate public discourse. In an era of social media, disinformation, and viral content, the film’s warnings feel more pressing than ever, showing how easily perception can be shaped and truth obscured.
The plot follows a political spin doctor and a Hollywood producer who fabricate a war to cover up a presidential scandal. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear how politics gradually turned into a business driven by producers of fiction and fake events. The film reveals how media outlets willingly spread these false narratives, seduced by spectacle and eager for the next attention grabbing headline. What once may have been the domain of serious journalism has become a playground for click bait and sensationalism.
Philosophically, the film invites reflection on the impact of such deception on citizenship and critical thought. It repeatedly asks why the dog wags the tail instead of the tail wagging the dog, answering that the dog is smarter than the tail. This simple line captures the movie’s core message about control, manipulation, and who truly holds the power in shaping what the public sees and believes. It challenges viewers to question whether we are the dog or merely the tail being wagged by forces we barely understand.
Conclusion
Wag the Dog offers an enduring lesson about the importance of education, fact checking, and developing the ability to think critically about the world around us. As reality becomes harder to distinguish from fiction, the film reminds us that only through reflection and informed analysis can we hope to resist manipulation and preserve the integrity of our democratic institutions.
João Pedro Paro
Global Director of Governance, Risk & Compliance | PhD Candidate | Internationally Qualified Attorney
