Okay, I’m fully aware I’m in enemy territory here, but I actually really loved Ridley Scott’s new film The Dog Stars, based on the novel of the same name. And before y’all go in on me, let it be said that this film is nowhere near the level of Scott’s more ambitious and prolific films like The Martian or Gladiator. Still, there’s a lot to admire here. The cast lineup is robust, with names like Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, and Margaret Qualley all lending their talents to the project, and all three deliver fairly strong performances.
Set in a post-apocalyptic world where most of humanity has been wiped out by a deadly and rampant flu, The Dog Stars ultimately revolves around two very clear ideas. The first is that nature will always persevere over mankind. Throughout the film, nature becomes a character in its own right, often providing a stark contrast to the bleakness and dread surrounding its human counterparts. The first forty-five minutes, as slow as they are, establish Scott’s intention to make nature a source of shelter, food, solace, and even meditation for our protagonist, Hig.
The second, and perhaps more interesting, question Scott poses is: Can we find humanity in a world where humans are ceasing to exist? This becomes Hig’s central conflict throughout the film. He’s constantly trying to prove that there is still good left in the world, even as the world itself seems determined to prove otherwise. He regularly risks his life making runs into town to gather supplies for a nearby community of Mennonites, while simultaneously butting heads with his partner, Bangley (Brolin), who takes a much more cynical view of what remains of humanity.
It’s this tension between Hig’s hope and Bangley’s pragmatism that gives the film much of its emotional weight. Hig wants to believe there’s still something worth saving, while Bangley is primarily concerned with survival. Their opposing philosophies make for an interesting dynamic, particularly as the film forces Hig to confront just how dangerous his optimism can be in a world where trust is increasingly a liability.
Unfortunately, what ultimately holds the film back is its pacing. In fact, I’d go so far as to encourage audiences to start this movie thirty minutes late. As beautiful as it is to take in the natural landscape of Hig’s world, the story itself doesn’t really begin to rev up until thirty or forty minutes in. The slow opening certainly serves a thematic purpose, but it takes a little too long to get there.
Once the action finally kicks in, however, Scott reminds us exactly why he’s one of the greats when it comes to cinematic action. Brolin, in particular, is shining in all his glory as Bangley, the gun-toting former Marine, and he seems completely at home in the film’s more intense sequences. Jacob Elordi isn’t too shabby either, though he’s fairly outshined by Brolin’s action expertise.
Ultimately, The Dog Stars is far from Ridley Scott’s best film, but it’s an ambitious and visually striking exploration of survival, humanity, and the relationship between people and the natural world. Its pacing may test your patience, but once it finds its footing, there’s plenty here to appreciate.
Final Verdict:
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