Post-apocalyptic cinema has tackled this exact type of setup so many times before: man and dog hunt for survival together after a plague wipes out most of the world. Bad people try to kill them. Supplies are scarce. Similar to The Walking Dead, those who were either completely immune or figured out a way to survive are the only ones left. There’s no society, no fast food, and no music. Certainly pairing hunky Jacob Elordi with a cute dog was enough to catch my attention. Ridley Scott’s The Dog Stars looks prettier than most films of this ilk, but an all-too-familiar story and exhausting repetition are worthy of a low woof rather than a loud bark.
Set in 2035, The Dog Stars follows Hig (Jacob Elordi), a mechanic in his former life who now lives out his days from an airplane hangar. Alongside his adorable dog Jasper, Hig travels for resources and adventure, taking to the skies at every opportunity. His latest fixation is the potential of airport terminal Grand Junction, hopeful that life could somehow be different there. The isolation is obviously intentional, but there’s only so much wandering, flying, hunting, and wallowing in the past that can happen before the narrative starts to feel stagnant. The first act feels endless, and the heavy Western vibes were definitely not my cup of tea.
Thankfully, Elordi easily carries these quieter stretches. The Dog Stars marks one of his strongest acting performances, given the depth of his character and that he essentially carries the film on his shoulders. It was a pleasant treat to have him onscreen for almost the entire runtime, and his relationship with Jasper gives the story much of its early emotional weight. Josh Brolin also leaves quite an impression in a supporting role, particularly during a terrific action sequence involving night vision and a rocket launcher. An exciting crash and stampede injects some much-needed adrenaline as well. Scott truly knows how to frame action when the film actually allows him to let loose. Unfortunately, these bursts of excitement are spread across a movie far more interested in a slow-burn meditative structure. Every supplementary character adds something to the overall package, even if The Dog Stars still left me feeling empty by the time it concluded.
Everything involving Allison Janney, and the surprisingly campy detour the film takes in its final act, is a lot of fun, but too little too late. The Grand Junction detour still emerges as some of the best material, finally expanding the world beyond Hig’s repetitive routine. The relationship that forms between Hig, Cima (Margaret Qualley), and her father (Guy Pearce) acts as the backbone for two great action set pieces. The charm of this three-way relationship comes close to saving The Dog Stars from a complete write off. We needed more dog!
This being a Ridley Scott film means no shortage of absolutely gorgeous cinematography and several breathtaking landscapes. The vastness of the environments beautifully emphasizes how empty this version of the world has become. However, the pacing was far too slow for me, playing as a somber Western rather than a post-apocalyptic action thriller. Adjust expectations accordingly, and you may leave considerably more satisfied.
A sweet message hides just underneath the death and loneliness, particularly in Hig’s attempts to discover a reason to keep going after losing what once defined his life. Elordi gives the character enough vulnerability to make those emotions powerful, even when the story surrounding him struggles to maintain relevance. Maybe the novel would have been better suited to a television series, where an exploration of its post-apocalyptic world could have more room to breathe. The Dog Stars is incredibly well made but narratively unsatisfying. Elordi delivers, Jasper steals our hearts, and Scott still knows how to stage a hell of an action sequence. Unfortunately, a strong-enough final act cannot completely make up for the monotonous journey it takes to get there. A beautiful slog, Jacob Elordi’s layered performance and an unhinged turn from Allison Janney still aren’t reason enough to let The Dog Stars off its leash.
Gaze up and take in the beauty of The Dog Stars, now playing in theaters.
