Synopsis

Johnny Truelove, a young Los Angeles drug dealer, kidnaps Zack Mazursky, the teenage brother of a man who owes him money. What begins as an improvised attempt to intimidate Zack turns into a volatile hostage situation as Johnny's friends lose control of events. Their reckless behavior, fueled by drugs, bravado, and peer pressure, leads toward an increasingly horrifying outcome.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film is based on the 2000 kidnapping and murder of Nicholas Markowitz. The names were changed, and several events were altered or fictionalized for the screenplay.

• Production research included case documents, interrogation footage, and conversations with people connected to the real crime.

• The film's release became part of the real case. Jesse James Hollywood's defense attempted to block its release, arguing that it could influence potential jurors. The request was denied, but the theatrical release was delayed by about a year.

• Santa Barbara County Deputy District Attorney Ronald J. Zonen gave filmmakers access to case files and served as an unpaid consultant. His involvement later created a legal conflict-of-interest dispute in the prosecution.

• After Hollywood was arrested in Brazil in 2005, the filmmakers reshot the ending.

• Alpha Dog premiered as the closing film of the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, but its US theatrical release did not arrive until January 12, 2007.

• The opening montage uses genuine home-movie footage supplied by cast members, friends, and people connected with the production.