The Dog Stars bites
Ridley Scott's return to a grim future, the post-apocalyptic adaptation The Dog Stars may be one of his dullest movies to date.
Ridley Scott's The Dog Stars is a modern adaptation of Peter Heller's 2012 dystopian novel, but it falls short of the filmmaker's usual high standards. The story follows Hig (Jacob Elordi), a pilot who lives alone in a dilapidated regional airport out in Erie, Colorado, with his dog Jasper and former military man Bangley (Josh Brolin).
After Jasper's death, Hig decides to head west in search of better news in Grand Junction. Along the way, he meets Cima (Margaret Qualley) and her father Pops (Guy Pearce), adding a glimmer of hope to his otherwise bleak journey. The film struggles to maintain the immersive atmosphere Scott is known for, with uneven storytelling and subpar special effects that cheapen its grandeur.
While the post-pandemic survivalist premise can feel cautionary, the message becomes unclear, torn between helping strangers or protecting oneself. Elordi's performance is underdeveloped, and his character's emotional journey remains underexplored. However, Qualley's presence injects some life into the narrative, playing an equally wounded widow to Elordi's tortured widower.
The film explores themes of community, isolation, and survival, but the "us vs. them" mindset and the abrupt ending leave a negative impression, making it one of Scott's worst misfires.
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