We all know it: humans love to eat (for survival, of course) and have a great friend in nature, the dog. The film world has often tapped into these two themes for sentimental stories, and when you add a touch of drama… can you imagine the result? The new Brazilian Netflix movie, Caramelo, seems poised to test the power of this formula, combining all three elements in a film that promises to hit the mark with the most sensitive viewers.
In the demanding world of high cuisine, the life of Pedro, a talented and methodical chef, seems like a perfectly planned recipe for success. He is on the verge of achieving his greatest professional ambition: taking the helm of his own restaurant. However, life, often indifferent to our plans, serves him a dish he never expected. A “complicated” and “life-changing” medical diagnosis shatters his projected future, plunging him into an existential crisis that forces him to question every ingredient of his life.
It is in this precise moment of fragility, when his path becomes blurred, that hope bursts in in the most unlikely way: with four paws, an energetic tail, and a caramel-colored coat. The arrival of Amendoim, a charismatic stray dog, is the true catalyst of the story. The film, a “moving dramedy,” explores how the friendship between a man and a dog can become an emotional anchor, offering not only comfort but also humor and a new perspective in the face of adversity.
This chance encounter marks the beginning of a profound journey of transformation for Pedro. The narrative transcends the simple anecdote of getting a pet to delve into deeper emotional territory, positioning itself as an “emotional ode to hope, family, and the importance of opening one’s heart.” Through his relationship with Amendoim, Pedro begins a process of self-rediscovery, learning to find new meaning in the present and forging a lifelong friendship.
The film’s narrative structure relies on a universally resonant archetype: a protagonist at a turning point whose life is transformed by the unconditional love of an animal. This storytelling choice appears to be a deliberate decision to ensure an emotional connection with audiences worldwide. By presenting a character with high aspirations who faces an existential crisis, the story establishes a conflict that anyone can empathize with. The introduction of an external, pure force—in this case, the dog Amendoim—that facilitates healing and personal growth follows a classic and emotionally effective narrative pattern seen in countless family dramas globally. By grounding a deeply Brazilian story in this universal foundation, the production ensures that its themes of loss, friendship, and redemption are immediately recognizable, breaking down cultural barriers and maximizing its potential on a global platform like Netflix.
Brazil’s Unsung Hero: From the Street to Stardom
The soul of the film lies in its non-human protagonist, Amendoim, whose journey to the screen is as remarkable as the fiction itself. The search for the perfect dog led director Diego Freitas all across Brazil, inspired by his own adopted dog, Paçoca. However, fate intervened. A sick and malnourished three-month-old stray puppy appeared at the door of the team’s animal trainer, “practically asking for a job,” as Freitas recounts.
Named Amendoim, he was adopted by the production and, after months of play-based training, became the star. This humble origin is fundamental because Amendoim is not just any dog; he is a “vira-lata caramelo” (caramel-colored mutt), a true Brazilian cultural icon. Described as “chaotic, intelligent, and with a huge heart,” Amendoim is presented as the “great protagonist,” a status that underscores his central role in the film’s message.
His character transcends the screen to embody a deeper cultural debate. For decades, Brazilian society has grappled with the “complexo de vira-lata,” or “mutt complex,” a term coined by writer Nelson Rodrigues to describe a national feeling of inferiority. By elevating the “vira-lata,” a symbol of the mixed-race and often marginalized, to the status of a hero, the film directly challenges this complex. Director Diego Freitas confirms this: “The caramel mutt ended up becoming the great symbol of Brazil, a symbol for the people,” adding that the production was sensitive to this phenomenon, describing the dog as “the spirit of our time.” Actor Rafael Vitti reinforces this idea, calling the “caramelo” part of “our heritage” and one of “our heroes.”
The Human Actors
Although Amendoim is the heart of the film, it is the human talent that gives it voice and context. Actor Rafael Vitti plays Pedro, the story’s human anchor. To build his character, Vitti immersed himself in the script and his own life experiences, admitting he brought his “personal experience with [his] own dogs” to the performance, which adds a layer of authenticity to the on-screen connection.
For Vitti, working alongside Amendoim was a “very fun” experience despite the challenges. He praises the vitality of his co-star, a “super partner” who is “always alive on screen” and has the ability to “surprise you at any moment.”
Vitti also shares a reflection on the message he hopes the audience will receive. He wants the story to inspire people to be “more attentive, more loving” and to re-evaluate their priorities. “It made me rethink a lot… I need to spend more time with my mother,” the actor confesses. “The main message is: pay attention… realize if you’re not too distracted” by matters that, in the end, lack true importance.
Alongside Vitti, a solid supporting cast shapes Pedro’s world. The cast includes Ademara, Carolina Ferraz, Arianne Botelho, Noemia Oliveira, Kelzy Ecard, Bruno Vinicius, Roger Gobeth, Olívia Araújo, and Cristina Pereira. A notable detail is the special participation of renowned chef and television personality Paola Carosella, who makes her film debut as a respected food critic. Her presence is not only a nod to the audience but also serves to instantly establish the credibility and high stakes of the culinary universe in which the protagonist operates.
Production and Direction
Behind Caramelo is a creative team with a clear vision. The film is directed by Diego Freitas, who also conceived the original idea and co-wrote the script. Known for dramas with a strong emotional component like Beyond the Universe, Freitas leads a team of screenwriters that includes Rod Azevedo and Carolina Castro, among others.
The film is produced by Migdal Filmes, one of Brazil’s major studios, in what marks its first cinematic collaboration with Netflix. This partnership is part of the platform’s broader investment in the country, which allocated one billion reais to Brazilian productions between 2023 and 2024. Netflix Brazil’s own press office has called the film a “big bet” and a “superproduction,” highlighting that it is “the first Brazilian film with a dog as the protagonist.” This strategy relies on giving local teams the autonomy to develop authentic content that resonates with the national audience while also possessing universal appeal.
Netflix Premiere
Produced in Brazil, Caramelo is a Netflix original film that combines drama and comedy to tell a story about second chances and the healing power of friendship.
Caramelo premieres on Netflix on October 8.
