The Dog Stars
August 25th, 2026
MOVIE: THE DOG STARS
STARRING: JACOB ELORDI, JOSH BROLIN, MARGARET QUALLEY, GUY PEARCE
DIRECTED BY: RIDLEY SCOTT
AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 3 ½ STARS (Out of 4)
RATED: R
RUN TIME: 118 MINUTES
The Dog Stars is not what I expected. As someone who undeniably loves nearly all of Ridley Scott’s films, I can say with certainty that his latest is unlike anything he has ever made. And yet, it is every inch a Ridley Scott film, dealing with themes of an apocalyptic world, the battle between cynicism and hope, and the constant flaws of humanity. It’s a story about survivors at the end of the world and how they cope. For me, it was a much-needed escape and a film I related to on multiple levels. The result is a unique and thought-provoking installment from cinema’s greatest living director.
Adapted from Peter Heller’s book of the same name, The Dog Stars is set outside Colorado in 2035, after disease, famine, war, and everything else that brings down civilization have ravaged the world. The main character, Hig (Jacob Elordi), lives at an abandoned airfield with his trusty dog, Jasper, and grizzled veteran Bangley (Josh Brolin). Together, they have created their own version of utopia, bickering like a married couple while surrounded by plenty of food, a Cessna that Hig uses to make trips into town, and a crow’s nest where Bangley can shoot any unwanted visitors. But Hig wants more. When he hears a mysterious voice on the radio from Grand Junction, he sets off to find whatever remains of civilization.
The screenplay, adapted by Mark L. Smith, follows a strong three-act structure, with a cast that fits naturally into each role. The second act finds Hig crashing his plane halfway through his journey and landing in a valley, where he finds comfort with Cima (Margaret Qualley) and her father, Pops (Guy Pearce). But outside their peaceful cabin are raiders and factions of people willing to take whatever they can get. The battle for survival isn’t something that comes and goes; it is a permanent state of anxiety, heightened by Scott’s ability to immerse us in the unpredictability of desperate times. It makes for a spectacular third act, featuring a bold turn, explosive action, and some unmistakable Scott imagery that occasionally recalls Stanley Kubrick.
Now is the part where I explain why The Dog Stars struck a personal nerve. The weekend before I saw the film was incredibly difficult. My depression had been heightened, and nothing seemed to make me happy. Then The Dog Stars matched my mood. It was the balm I needed: an incredibly sad film that slowly finds hope at the end. That is a theme that feels pure Scott.
The 88-year-old director has always crafted dark films about dark subjects: rape in Thelma & Louise, greed in All the Money in the World, and corruption in Gladiator II. Alien: Covenant begins with a community searching for a better place, only to find death. The Counselor is undeniably Scott’s most nihilistic film, but The Dog Stars takes a run at it during its first two acts. Humans are dead in burn pits, wandering as raiders, or simply living miserably. You can see the connecting thread between how Scott can make something like The Martian and something like Black Hawk Down. His brand has always been about the duality of humanity: the violent side of us, the side capable of loving a dog the way Hig does, and the space between them where chaos and unpredictability live.
The desolate world Scott creates becomes a perfect representation of grief, sadness, and the smallest sliver of hope. All of these characters are broken, having lost loved ones in different ways. That’s how I feel during dark times, often oscillating between deep sadness and trying to stay positive for my son. That is Hig’s emotional setting. He believes there is a better place out there. Bangley will never trust again. I often find myself wondering if I am still like Hig or slowly becoming Bangley.
Unlike some of my colleagues, Scott’s film worked for me. The pacing will be too slow for some, but the themes should resonate universally. At its core, this is a story about humanity, what we are capable of, and the chaotic reality of what that means. The Dog Stars reveals that Ridley Scott will never let himself be pinned down. He continues to create chaos within his cinematic landscapes while searching for answers.
The Dog Stars is a spectacular accomplishment. It is the work of an artist who refuses to stay still. Sometimes, you have to reach for the stars.
3 ½ STARS
THE DOG STARS IS PLAYING IN THEATERS EVERYWHERE ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 28TH, 2026.
Written by: Leo Brady
