Veteran director Ridley Scott, known for classics such as Alien and Gladiator, adds another title to his recent stretch of middling releases with The Dog Stars. Adapted from Peter Heller’s 2012 novel, the film places its protagonist, Hig (Jacob Elordi), in a bleak, post‑apocalyptic America devastated by a deadly flu.
Plot and Setting
Hig is a mechanic who has taken refuge in an abandoned Colorado airport. He shares the isolated outpost with Bangley (Josh Brolin), a grizzled former Marine with a steady aim, and his loyal Belgian shepherd, Jasper. The story follows Hig’s routine: flying his small yellow plane to Denver for supplies, revisiting his former home and the memory of his late wife, delivering goods to a community of Mennonite farmers, and occasionally joining Bangley in eliminating trespassers who might be infected.
Hig believes there is still civilization beyond the mountains, specifically in Grand Junction, while Bangley warns that venturing out could be fatal. Undeterred, Hig decides to pursue the possibility of life elsewhere, setting the stage for a series of encounters with colorful characters, including the rough‑hewn rancher Jack and his daughter Cima (Guy Pearce and Margaret Qualley) and the eccentric Darlene (Allison Janney). A band of tattooed marauders known as the “Reapers” adds a further threat.
Performances
Elordi, the Australian actor who rose to fame on HBO’s Euphoria and earned an Oscar nomination for his role in Netflix’s Frankenstein, steps into a leading‑man role. He delivers a competent performance, though the material offers limited depth. Brolin and Pearce provide occasional humor with their rough‑around‑the‑edges portrayals, and Janney brings her usual gravitas, elevating scenes that might otherwise feel flat.
Direction and Tone
Scott’s direction leans heavily into a western aesthetic, with sweeping mountain vistas that are undeniably beautiful. However, the film’s pacing is slow, and the narrative rarely builds momentum. The score by Harry Gregson‑Williams, dominated by guitar‑driven motifs, reinforces a languid, almost sleepy atmosphere rather than heightening tension.
Gun battles are few but serve as the primary moments of excitement. Outside of these set pieces, the story feels repetitive, and Hig’s journey resembles a generic dystopian quest without a compelling hook. The “Reapers” are presented as tatted savages, a trope that feels overused and adds little to the film’s originality.
Overall Assessment
While The Dog Stars benefits from strong production values and a capable cast, it ultimately falls short of delivering a gripping post‑apocalyptic western. The film’s visual appeal and occasional action cannot compensate for a plot that meanders and a protagonist who feels like a run‑of‑the‑mill dystopian hero. Fans of Scott’s earlier work may appreciate the scenic backdrops, but most viewers will find the experience underwhelming.
Rated R for strong violence and language, the film runs 1 hour and 58 minutes and is currently in theaters.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
