The Dog Stars Review
Ridley Scott's post-apocalyptic survivor drama keeps its feelings about grieving in a triple layer of emotional bubble wrap.
The Dog Stars, Ridley Scott's latest release, opens in theaters on August 28. The film, adapted from the 2012 Peter Heller novel, doesn't match the trailer's promise of a tense action-thriller. Instead, it's a slow-moving survival story set years after a virus wipes out society, leaving behind a few survivors who grapple with grief and turn to violence to loot from others trying to maintain a peaceful existence.
The film features an acoustic guitar soundtrack reminiscent of The Last of Us and a few country music sound bites.
The film begins with a 20-minute side quest following Hig, a mechanic played by Jacob Elordi, and his dog Jasper. The pair journey through abandoned Denver, collecting supplies while enjoying stunning shots of the city. While the visuals are impressive, they feel like a gimmick to justify the IMAX experience. The long takes make the film feel better suited for streaming, where viewers can take their time and ponder the world-building questions that are left unanswered.
Despite this, the film doesn't seem to care much about the society that came before. Instead, it focuses on how the remaining survivors cope with their present situation, reminiscing about their past lives in dull conversations. When Hig returns to his homestead with Josh Brolin's ex-Marine Bangley, they debate the happiness of their lives and how to protect their property from the violent looters known as Reapers.
The two men eventually meet Jack and Cima, played by Guy Pearce and Margaret Qualley, who share their grief over lost spouses through awkward small talk and jokes about golf.
The film's script, penned by Mark L. Smith, is its main flaw, with conversations that feel contrived and unnatural. After a slow start, the story picks up with coinciding standoffs between Hig, Cima, and Jack against the Reapers. The first-person sequences featuring Bangley's military-style night vision monocular create some exciting moments, but the lack of clear motivations for the Reapers leaves viewers questioning their purpose.
The final act of the film offers some excitement with Hig and co. racing to reach Grand Junction, where Allison Janney gives a standout performance in a 1950s stewardess outfit. Despite the strong performances, the film fails to create a genuine emotional connection, keeping even the beloved dog Jasper at a distance.
Written by urgent.news from IGN's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
