A One Mann’s Movies review of “The Dog Stars”. (2026, 3*, 15).
At the grand old age of 88, it amazes me that Sir Ridley Scott still wants to get out of bed at unearthly times of the morning to film something like The Dog Stars. Why not a nice leisurely lie in and a game or two of Scrabble? But get out of bed he still does, and although this is his first released film since the epic Gladiator II in 2024, he has – according to IMDB – a ridiculous 7 films he is proposing to direct in pre-production at the moment. Long may his vigour continue.
The Dog Stars has its moments of beauty and serenity between intermittent bursts of high-octane (and well done) action. But, for me, I’m afraid it didn’t hang together as one of his best films.
One Mann’s Movies Rating:
Plot:
It’s Colorado, 1935. A virulent flu epidemic has decimated the world’s population with survivors hunkering down in well-defended encampments while scavenging hoards want what they have. Hig (Jacob Elordi) occupies an airfield with the older and militaristic Bangley (Josh Brolin). Hig goes on sorties by light aircraft into Denver for supplies. But he is intrigued by a fragmented radio message he occasionally receives from Grand Junction.
Certification:
UK: 15; US: R. (From the BBFC website: “Strong language, violence, injury detail.”)
Talent:
Starring: Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin, Guy Pearce, Allison Janney, Benedict Wong.
Directed by: Ridley Scott.
Written by: Mark L. Smith & Christopher Wilkinson. (Based on a book by Peter Heller.)
Running Time: 1h 58m.
Review:
Positives:
- It’s a good looking film, with some wonderful photography on and above Colorado’s scenic landscape. The DP was Erik Messerschmidt.
- Mark Kermode said in his (rather negative) review of the film that Ridley Scott hadn’t done much “world building” in this film. I really disagree with him on that. I thought the sense of desolation and destruction was really well done. Forays into Denver, and particularly the ruined Denver Civic Center, were really well rendered in an I Am Legend sort of way: I really don’t understand how such special effects are delivered so convincingly!
- I was intrigued enough by the story to stick with it (even though I wasn’t necessarily impressed with what I found when I got there).
- There are some solid performances from the core cast of Elordi, Brolin, Qualley and Pearce.
- I enjoyed the score by Harry Gregson-Williams and some of the needle drops.
Negatives:
- There is really not much structure to the story arc: what we are given is ostensibly a long meandering road (or rather, air) trip, picking up different characters along the way before dumping us back where we started from. And we’ve seen this sort of apocalyptic world many times before: this brings little that’s new.
- The character of Hig (Jacob Elordi) seems to be such a boy scout. I was surprised that such a do-gooder and foolish risk-taker would have lasted this long. Bangley (Josh Brolin) was much more convincing to me as a character. I also just didn’t fully believe in his whole grief/death-wish storyline. Years of sex-less existence with Bagley have passed. So when the lovely rancher’s daughter Cima (Margaret Qualley) seeks you out in the desert in the middle of the night – obviously because she has an itch that wants scratching – you wouldn’t roll over and not scratch that itch! Sorry… but no!
- Without spoilers, when we do eventually reach Grand Junction (after a bit of a weird pancake-topping authorisation mechanism!) we go through baggage control into an episode of The Twilight Zone. It seems like (and I do agree with Kermode on this) we enter a completely different genre of movie. The shift in tonality is jarring and not in a good way.
Trigger
Slight spoilers ahead! I can’t believe I’m having to say this again, but this is YET AGAIN a film that requires an honorary mention on doesthedogdie.com. That is now the EIGTH major film this year – Die My Love, Sirāt, Shelter, Evil Dead Burn, The Last Viking, The Odyssey and The Last House – where a canine friend buys it.
Summary Thoughts:
I seem to have enjoyed this one much more than other viewers: I have seen some very negative reviews online, calling it a snooze-fest. But it does feel like a film that will become a forgettable footnote in Sir Ridley’s filmography.
Where to watch?
Trailer:
The trailer for the film is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xSxaE1ClEE.
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