Based on the novel by Peter Heller and directed by Ridley Scott, The Dog Stars is exceptionally invigorating. The director of Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven strikes again with another creative  thriller that explores uncharted territory. The Dog Starsmade me think of COVID and how evidence is left behind. The film is set in a post-apocalyptic world where there are dangerous, roaming scavengers and scarce resources for survival. Scott’s direction includes a thrilling puzzle. With an all-star cast, the dynamics are impressive.

The film stars Hig (Jacob Elordi) and Bangley (Josh Brolin), two guys living together in a world that is now at a standstill. Hig had a previous life with a wife and a decent career, but his reality has shifted.. He has had to learn to adapt to the new norms of the pandemic and the aftereffects of what it has done to humanity. Hig and Bangley hunt and  keep supplies. They have to protect themselves because whatever roams at night can have treacherous effects.

Hig decides to fly and look for more resources, and he meets two other survivors. They are Cima (Margaret Qualley) and Pops (Guy Pearce). Hig lands on their property with his airplane, and they realize they are on the same page in their fight for survival. The writing is vivid in the way it describes how the characters come together.. Scott has the ability to create a conflict and correlate it with a puzzle about which sides characters are on.  Hig, Cima, and Pops are all looking for the same thing…safety in a place that is trustworthy and gives them hope.

The aspects related to the plague in this movie are not written all that well. Luckily, the continuity of the film is quite satisfying  because it is grounded in context about Hig’s prior life. He was once happy and on the right path, and then the world stopped. Once that happened, his life became a blur where is forced to find resources to survive. He begins to build a relationship with Cima. However, the thought of a new beginning proves challenging, because even love is difficult in a post-disaster world. 

Bangley, on the other hand, is geared up for action in the post-world conflicts. Brolin’s performance makes his character destined to be the hero. With a pompous attitude and ample weaponry, he has his mind set on destruction. Ridley Scott is still strong as a director and I have great respect for his talent. He creates memorable scenes based on reality and turns a fictional story into a spellbinding film. Three out of four stars for The Dog Stars.