The 2006 crime thriller drama “Alpha Dog” from Universal was written and directed by Nick Cassavetes. Starring: Bruce Willis, Matthew Barry, Emile Hirsch, Fernando Vargas, Anton Yelchin, Vincent Kartheiser, Justin Timberlake, Shawn Hatosy, Alex Solowitz, Alec Vigil, Harry Dean Stanton, Frank Cassavetes, Nicole Dubos, Regina Rice, Laura Nativo and Ben Foster.
It’s 1999 in Claremont, California where four guys that all grew up together are now in their early twenties, learning how to be men. They all come from middle-class families, but Johnny Truelove (Emile Hirsch) the son of Sonny Truelove (Bruce Willis) a powerful drug dealer is always in charge. Now Johnny’s following in his father’s footsteps but still doesn’t get the respect he deserves. He has given Jake Mazursky (Ben Foster) drugs, but now he is getting the runaround for his money. Johnny knows that he cannot afford to let Jake get by without paying, because it will ruin his reputation and that of his father.
Johnny and his friends talk about the situation, they are talking trash but when Johnny encounters Jake things get heated and Johnnie threatens him. Jake is not exactly the calm type and although he owes Johnny money, he didn’t like the way Johnny embarrassed him in front of everyone else. Jake is known for his hot temper and irrational behavior, being on drugs just makes it worse, so he breaks into Johnny’s house and then disappears.
Johnny and Frankie (Justin Timberlake) have been best friends forever and are out driving around town looking for Jake. On their way they see Jake’s younger brother Zack (Anton Yelchin), who’s all of 15 and doesn’t have a clue about what’s going on. Johnny and Frankie kidnap Zack and tell Jake he will see his brother when he pays his debt in full.
Zack plays along because he believes his brother will come through and pay Johnny what he owes, but as the days go by without the money being paid, Johnny starts to get paranoid about the situation. While Zack hangs out and parties with the crew, Johnny tries to involve Frankie is a crime that would send them both to prison for life.
Things become complicated with Sonny Trulove discovers the kidnapping and although the fear of prison is the main thing keeping Zach alive, if the money is not paid, Zach might be in trouble.
