The Dog Stars, directed by Ridley Scott, is a 2026 film. The movie stars Jacob Elordi as Hig, a pilot living in an abandoned airport with his dog after a pandemic wipes out most of humanity. Hig lives alongside Bangley, a former Marine played by Josh Brolin, who holds strong views on survival and the dangers of trusting others.
The story follows Hig as he ventures beyond his safe zone to search for other survivors, encountering a father-daughter duo named Cima and Pops, according to flickeringmyth.com. Margaret Qualley plays Cima, a character who has experienced loss but whose role in the film is limited, according to a report from flickdirect.com. Guy Pearce portrays Pops, a character who shares Bangley’s skeptical outlook on new connections.
The film explores themes of grief, hope, and rebuilding relationships in a world where civilization has collapsed. Ridley Scott’s direction is praised for its visual beauty and strong cinematography, especially during flight sequences. However, critics note that the film’s pacing is slow and fails to maintain momentum after the opening act.
The screenplay, adapted by Mark L. Smith, is criticized for being too cluttered with details from the source novel. Some scenes are seen as rushed or outright removed from the original story, which affects the narrative flow. The film’s action sequences are well-executed but come at the cost of weakening character development.
Jacob Elordi’s performance is described as emotionally restrained, which may not be enough to carry the film. Josh Brolin and Guy Pearce are noted for their strong performances as the older characters in the story. The movie includes some memorable moments, particularly those focused on the details of survival and rebuilding, Consequence reported.
Despite its visual strengths, the film is seen as lacking in emotional depth and character growth. Critics also point out inconsistencies in the film’s timeline and some visual continuity errors. The movie is considered a missed opportunity to fully explore the emotional core of its story.
The Dog Stars arrives in theaters on Friday, August 28th.
IMAGE: Actor Jacob Elordi at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival. Photo: Harald Krichel / Wikimedia, taken 2025-02-15, CC BY-SA 4.0