Film Review – The Dog Stars (2026)

      The Dog Stars, 2026.

      Directed by Ridley Scott.

      Featuring Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin, Guy Pearce, Allison Janney, Benedict Wong, Ewen Bremner, James Craze, Sam Spruell, Sai Bennett, Sebastian Rokison-Woodall, and Alara-Star Khan.

      SYNOPSIS:

      In a post-apocalyptic setting, humanity is decimated by a virus. Survivors contend with roving scavengers known as Reapers. The main character, Hig, a pilot, survives the flu but loses his wife.

      Residing in a fortified hangar at a Colorado airport, civilian pilot Hig (Jacob Elordi) criticizes former Marine Bangley (Josh Brolin) for not only being ready for an apocalyptic event but also for seemingly reveling in it, viewing the American dream as a fulfillment of violent fantasies. Bangley, unconvinced by Hig’s cautious hope that life still exists elsewhere (the extent of the pandemic's coverage is unclear, aside from the collapse of communications), accurately judges the gun-happy soldier. It is concerning that Ridley Scott’s adaptation of The Dog Stars (with Mark L. Smith adapting Peter Heller’s novel) feels compelled to validate this grim outlook.

      If the remainder of the film weren't a blend of dull clichés (even the previously mentioned discussion about trusting strangers in need has been worn out in countless similar narratives) and awkwardly inserted action sequences that seem more fitting for a Bioshock game rather than a story about moving past grief and forming new connections in a changed world, this would be merely disappointing. By the time the overt right-wing implications become unmistakable, audiences may feel exhausted and disengaged from The Dog Stars.

      In its opening scenes, the infected (presumably from a flu-like illness that draws numerous other, more intriguing parallels than anything present in the film) are referred to as Reapers; it doesn't get more derivative than this (which wouldn’t be an issue if the film were at least engaging). The Reapers bear a resemblance to war boys from Mad Max; they may simply be ruthless scavengers or raiders. Definitively categorizing them is challenging, as the film generally neglects to explore the virus, provide exposition, or clarify the identity of any factions.

      There is a belief that this could benefit The Dog Stars, a film essentially about Hig’s attachment to his dog as his last link to the world that existed before—when he had a partner and was expecting a child. Whenever he's not flying to desolate, decaying cities to gather supplies or delivering them to a nearby group of Mennonites (at times, this feels like cinematic Mad Libs), he ponders what lies beyond the mountains at the Grand Junction airport after occasionally hearing jumbled radio signals from the past, which spur him to explore the unknown, regardless of fuel constraints for his return.

      This is where the father-daughter duo of Cima and the aptly nicknamed Pops (played by Margaret Qualley and Guy Pearce) come into play, with Pops sharing some viewpoints with Bangley. Realistically, Hig is portrayed by Jacob Elordi, suggesting these two striking survivors will form a romantic connection, even if Hig's performance consists mainly of delivering every line in an intense, heavy whisper. Once a hopeful medic, Cima grapples with her own past losses but doesn't have much to do in the story. Despite this, the interactions and bonding moments between them almost create a dynamic worth engaging with, until the third act undermines it.

      The Dog Stars shifts into a more spectacle-driven and action-oriented narrative. While the execution works, thanks to Ridley Scott’s proficiency and reliable collaborators (a scene at the hangar with Josh Brolin facing infected individuals alone stands out, as does a moment when the protagonists try to take off in a small airplane surrounded by foes), this transformation sacrifices any potential narrative depth regarding these two characters, relegating them to the most clichéd scenarios and settings. Furthermore, the film feels overcrowded, as if it has crammed elements from three different novels into one singular movie.

      SEE ALSO: 7 Underrated Ridley Scott Movies

      Flickering Myth Rating - Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★

      Robert Kojder