{
  "id": 3389537,
  "title": "Movie Review: A tender love story with postapocalyptic teeth in Ridley Scott’s ‘The Dog Stars’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/movie-review-a-tender-love-story-with-postapocalyptic-teeth-in-ridley",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-26T00:41:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/2026/08/25/movie-review-a-tender-love-story-with-postapocalyptic-teeth-in-ridley-scotts-the-dog-stars"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "When Ridley Scott's \"The Dog Stars\" premiered, critics wondered if dogs would steal the show in a post-apocalyptic film. Tom Hanks' terrier in \"Finch\" and Will Smith's German shepherd in \"I Am Legend\" demonstrated the canine's ability to command attention. Now, Brad Pitt's Malinois, named Jasper, joins the ranks of post-apocalyptic movie dogs.\n\nSet in post-pandemic Colorado, the movie follows Hig, a mechanic and pilot played by Jacob Elordi. He survives in an abandoned airport with Jasper and an ex-military man, Bangley, played by Josh Brolin. Hig's days are filled with scavenging for food and supplies, visiting Mennonite communities, and hoping for other survivors.\n\nThe film explores the idea that a story about humanity cannot be told without a canine companion. It's a quiet love story amidst sniper fire, RPGs, and fuel cans. While Hig and his fellow survivors grapple with the aftermath of the pandemic and the potential dangers lurking out there, they also find solace in simple pleasures like driving music and the joy of recorded music.\n\nHowever, the film is not without its oddities. The decision to film the Colorado-specific tale in Italy, with the Dolomite mountains standing in for the Rockies, adds an unexpected twist. And the inclusion of Allison Janney's performance in an airport adds a touch of absurdity to the proceedings.\n\nDespite these quirks, \"The Dog Stars\" manages to deliver a tender love story amidst the chaos of a post-apocalyptic world. With beautiful performances, a haunting soundtrack, and a canine sidekick that steals the show, this film is a welcome addition to the post-apocalyptic genre. It's a 20th Century Studios release, rated R for strong violence and language, and runs for 118 minutes.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Deadline",
        "title": "‘The Dog Stars’ Review: Jacob Elordi Searches For Last Gasp Of Humanity In Ridley Scott’s Sharp, Post-Apocalyptic Thriller",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/the-dog-stars-review-jacob-elordi-searches-for-last-gasp-of-humanity",
        "published": "2026-08-26T00:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hollywood Reporter",
        "title": "‘The Dog Stars’ Review: Jacob Elordi and Margaret Qualley in Ridley Scott’s Subdued but Pleasingly Soulful Dystopian Western",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/the-dog-stars-review-jacob-elordi-and-margaret-qualley-in-ridley",
        "published": "2026-08-26T00:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IndieWire",
        "title": "‘The Dog Stars’ Review: Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin Can’t Save Ridley Scott’s Bizarrely Inert Post-Apocalypse Movie from Near-Disaster",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/the-dog-stars-review-jacob-elordi-and-josh-brolin-cant-save-ridley",
        "published": "2026-08-26T00:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "TheWrap",
        "title": "‘The Dog Stars’ Review: Ridley Scott’s Listless Apocalypse Movie Has Nothing New to Say",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/the-dog-stars-review-ridley-scotts-listless-apocalypse-movie-has",
        "published": "2026-08-26T00:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}