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The Dog Stars Review
Image Credit: 20th Century Studios
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Directed By: Ridley Scott
Written By: Mark L. Smith and Christopher Wilkinson; Based on the book by Peter Heller
Runtime: 118 minutes
MPA Rating: Rated R for strong violence and language.
Jacob Elordi – Hig
Josh Brolin – Bangley
Margaret Qualley – Cima
Guy Pearce – Jack/Pops
Allison Janney – Darlene
Benedict Wong – Aaron
Legendary director Ridley Scott adapts the post-apocalyptic novel The Dog Stars in his latest feature. Based on the book of the same name by Peter Heller, The Dog Stars takes a somewhat more optimistic approach to the collapse of civilization. However, despite a solid cast and a strong acting showcase by co-star Josh Brolin, The Dog Stars never fully aligns.
Set around the 2030s, The Dog Stars features Jacob Elordi as Hig, a pilot and mechanic, who navigates a post-apocalyptic Colorado after a viral pandemic wiped out most of the population, leading to a global collapse of civilization. Hig has carved out an efficient but isolated home base with his partner, the military survivalist Bangley (Brolin), but Hig longs for something more.
Haunted by the loss of his beloved wife, who succumbed to the virus, Hig wants to venture further outside the territory, hoping to find some remaining vestiges of civilization. He also fights the impulse to take his own life by flying his plane into a mountain that he used to love visiting with his wife.
After a tragic encounter with some bandits tears away the last vestige of his old life before the collapse, Hig leaves the homestead, hoping he can find more survivors with a faint radio signal at Grand Junction. Mechanical issues with his Cessna ground him, and he eventually makes contact with two survivors, Cima (Qualley) and her father (Pops). Ultimately, Hig must come to terms with his grief and figure out the best way to find forgiveness and peace in this post-apocalyptic hellscape.
The Dog Stars certainly has some interesting ideas at work. However, Scott and co-writers Mark L. Smith and Christopher Wilkinson fail to truly bring this harrowing premise to life. The narrative comes off as significantly disjointed and never truly comes together. Early on, the movie sets up a major thread involving a tribe of bandits pillaging neighboring areas called the Reapers, but it lacks a sufficient payoff.
The movie showcases two groups of malevolent bandits, and they lack strong development. One band of raiders utilizes rather tone-deaf imagery. Despite being set up as the major villains, the Reapers don’t find much overall significance within the story.
Additionally, as the movie reaches its final act, it simply strolls to the end without much major consequence. The message of Hig’s overall journey lacks emotional resonance.
Brolin delivers the movie’s standout performance as the crusty and hardened Bangley, who has a heart of gold deep down. Unsurprisingly, Brolin does a lot with very little and always makes the most of his screen time.
The film obviously wants the viewers to invest in Hig and Cima’s relationship, providing some measure of love and peace in such a horrendous, god-awful scenario. However, their romantic chemistry lacks emotional punch, and they could have used more scenes together to develop their subplot.
Besides Brolin’s standout performance, The Dog Stars features overall solid production values. It’s a nice-looking movie, with some immaculate cinematography by Erik Messerschmidt.
Ultimately, The Dog Stars‘ heart is in the right place. Attempting a cozier post-apocalyptic rumination that examines overcoming grief and hardship, while finding hope and peace in the darkest of places, isn’t such a bad idea. Unfortunately, Scott keeps the movie too cozy for its own good, and the experience never comes together. Other than Brolin’s performance, it all feels rather forgettable.
Where To Watch The Dog Stars
The Dog Stars opens in theaters on August 28. Ticket and showtime information are available at the movie’s website.
