Hounddog is a 2007 American coming-of-age drama film written, directed, and produced by Deborah Kampmeier.

[3] Hounddog premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2007, where it was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize, and was given a limited theatrical release on September 19, 2008.

Lou struggles with alcoholism, though he tries his best to make Lewellen happy, such as gifting her an Elvis Presley vinyl record.

Lewellen finds consolation in playing with her best friend Buddy, idling away her last preteen summer with typical outdoor rural pastimes such as swimming in the pond and exploring the woods.

Charles acts as a mentor, imparting wisdom of his snake handler religion to explain this to Lewellen, in other words, how to create something positive out of something venomous and deadly.

Lou is struck by lightning while mowing the lawn, leaving him mentally handicapped, but the thought of Elvis coming to town gives Lewellen the resolve to carry on despite her circumstances.

Charles and Grannie are distressed by Lewellen's sudden decline in health, and in fits of feverish illness, she hallucinates being attacked by venomous snakes.

While Ellen waits in her car on the side of the road, Lewellen goes to find her grandmother and father one final time, and spots them outside attempting to kill a large, venomous snake.

The film garnered a great deal of attention, and generated intense controversy, owing to the use of a very young actress in a role that included a rape scene far before reaching a consent age.