The Dog Stars Review: Ridley Scott Finds Humanity at the End of the World

Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin lead Ridley Scott’s beautifully shot post-apocalyptic journey about survival, hope and finding a reason to keep going.

Ridley Scott has spent decades taking audiences to distant planets, ancient battlefields and some of the darkest corners of existence. With THE DOG STARS, the legendary filmmaker turns his attention to the end of civilization while delivering one of his most intimate movies.

Based on Peter Heller’s bestselling novel, THE DOG STARS is Ridley Scott at his most human. The gripping, beautifully shot post-apocalyptic story balances survival, hope, grief and the basic need for connection.

The setup may sound familiar. Civilization has collapsed, survivors are scarce and danger exists around nearly every corner. Scott and screenwriter Mark L. Smith use those familiar ingredients to take audiences on a new journey. Instead of building everything around the destruction of the world, THE DOG STARS focuses on finding a reason to keep living in it.

At the center of the story are Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin, who make one hell of a duo.

Jacob Elordi Brings Heart To Hig

Jacob Elordi stars as Hig, a young pilot who has survived the collapse of civilization alongside military survivalist Bangley, played by Josh Brolin. Together, they have created an isolated but efficient existence capable of keeping them alive, even if survival alone does not give them much to live for.

Elordi brings tremendous heart and vulnerability to Hig. He has learned how to survive without completely abandoning hope or his belief that something more could still be waiting beyond the safety of his home.

Elordi continues to prove how much range he has as an actor. Hig gives him an opportunity to carry a massive Ridley Scott production without losing the quiet emotion needed to make the character work. Seeing my friend Jacob continue to absolutely crush it on the big screen is always a major plus.

Brolin is perfectly matched with him.

Bangley is hardened, practical and prepared to do whatever is necessary to survive. His approach creates a compelling contrast with Hig, whose belief in people has not completely disappeared.

Brolin and Elordi have fantastic chemistry, and their relationship quickly becomes one of the strongest parts of the movie. Their personalities bounce off each other naturally, and I would absolutely love to see these two work together again.

A Post-Apocalyptic Story About Hope and Connection

When Hig receives a mysterious radio transmission, he ventures beyond the relative safety of the life he and Bangley have established.

His search opens THE DOG STARS into something bigger than a traditional survival thriller.

Danger, violence and tension are always present, but Scott remains focused on the people inhabiting this world. Hig refuses to settle for simply surviving another day. He still believes hope, purpose and meaningful connections could exist somewhere beyond the horizon.

THE DOG STARS separates itself from many post-apocalyptic stories by putting those emotions at the center of Hig’s journey.

We have seen devastated worlds and isolated survivors countless times before. THE DOG STARS certainly feels familiar in places, but Scott uses those familiar elements as the foundation for a new journey rather than repeating what audiences have already seen.

At just under two hours, THE DOG STARS does drag at times, especially during some of its quieter stretches, but the journey is absolutely worth it. Strong performances, emotional moments and breathtaking scenery make the slower portions easier to overlook.

Margaret Qualley and Guy Pearce also shine, adding even more heart as Hig’s journey expands beyond the isolated world he shares with Bangley. Allison Janney and Benedict Wong round out an impressive ensemble assembled by Scott.

Ridley Scott Delivers Some Stunning Colorado Scenery

Visually, THE DOG STARS can be spectacular. The high-elevation Colorado landscapes are incredible to see stretched across a massive theater screen. Scott captures both the beauty and loneliness of the environment, allowing the natural world to become an important part of Hig’s journey.

THE DOG STARS is absolutely a movie worth seeing on the biggest screen possible.

I did find myself questioning whether the movie was always put together in the best format for IMAX. It does not consistently feel designed around the format in the way some modern large-format productions do.

However, the sheer scale of the scenery makes the theatrical experience worthwhile. Those enormous Colorado landscapes deserve as much screen space as possible

Yes, The Dog Stars Is Rated R, And There Is A Dog

One important detail deserves mentioning before seeing THE DOG STARS, particularly for anyone who immediately gets nervous whenever a dog appears in an R-rated movie.

The movie is rated R, and yes, there is a dog.

Without getting into spoilers, knowing those two things together will probably be enough to make certain moviegoers nervous. As Anne Hathaway has pointed out when discussing movie mishaps, sometimes audiences need a little warning about what they are getting themselves into.

The R rating also comes from some graphic scenes of violence. Scott does not shy away from the brutality of this post-apocalyptic world. Violence can arrive suddenly and become intense when it does.

Still, the brutality never overwhelms the emotional core. THE DOG STARS remains focused on people trying to hold onto hope, connection and a reason to keep moving forward after almost everything else has disappeared.

The Dog Stars Is Another Strong Win For Ridley Scott

Few filmmakers can operate on the scale Ridley Scott does while still finding room for intimate character moments. That balance is what makes THE DOG STARS work.

Scott gives audiences the spectacle expected from one of his films, but the movie’s greatest strength comes from Hig and Bangley. Elordi and Brolin make this strange, broken world worth spending time in because their relationship gives the story its heart.

THE DOG STARS may travel through familiar post-apocalyptic territory, but it finds a new and emotionally satisfying journey within it. Another strong win from Ridley Scott and one of the best cinematic experiences of the year.

THE DOG STARS releases in theaters on August 28.

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