‘The Dog Stars’: Ridley Scott’s Dystopian Survivalist Thriller

BY Mark Jackson TIMESeptember 3, 2026 PRINT

Mechanic Hig (Jacob Elordi) and former military man Bangley (Josh Brolin) try to keep the valley all to themselves, in "The Dog Stars." (20th Century Studios)

R | 1h 58m | Dystopia, Survival, Thriller | 2026

Mildly depressing, the dystopian survival thriller “The Dog Stars” is basically a fast-zombie movie, a la “28 Days” and “28 Days Later.” It features a COVID-19-like virus instead of whatever makes zombies that sprint after people and snack on them. No actual humans are eaten in this movie—it’s simply another existential thriller about the dogged persistence of hope in a destroyed world.

Dog Owner Culture

Now, I love dogs. Dog owners, less so. Movies that go heavy on dog-owner culture are almost a genre unto themselves. Nonstop ear-scratching, petting; excessive face-licking where the dog-owner’s mouth is open and all that dog-tongue doesn’t bother them. Lots of treats gobbled out of dog-owner hands, who are impervious to the drool. “G’boy, g’boy, g’boy!!” I can tolerate about 30 seconds of this. “The Dog Stars” features this kind of thing for a good quarter of the movie.

That said, I love director Ridley Scott too, but this latest offering—not so much.

Epoch Times Photo — Hig (Jacob Elordi) and Jasper, in “The Dog Stars.” (Fabio Lovino/20th Century Studios)

What Goes on Besides Ear-Scratching

The film opens with dog owner Hig (Jacob Elordi) and “The Dog Stars” canine hero, or, er, dog star (a Belgian Malinois named Jasper) living in Eerie, Colorado, a town north of Denver. Jasper helps protect Hig from crazed, crossbow-toting, tattooed marauders (aforementioned zombie stand-ins) in post-pandemic Colorado circa A. D. 2035.

A devastating virus wiped out most of the human race, and we see Hig’s wife Melissa, in flashbacks. Like most of their friends, relations, colleagues, neighbors, complete strangers, and unborn child, she didn’t survive the plague.

Hig has joined forces and shares a fortified airfield with former neighbor Bangley (Josh Brolin). Bangley’s a no-nonsense, expert marksman ex-Marine, who thrives in the military-like existence of gasoline-scavenging (for Hig’s canary-yellow, single-engine knock-about Cessna). He spends much of his time sniping trespassers from a half-mile out, from his jerry-built surveillance tower.

Shoot First, Ask Questions Later?

Is Bangley’s shoot-first policy, or Hig’s more trusting, love-all-humanity sensibility more suited to long-term survival? Is this what Scott wishes to examine?

Man in ball cap with sniper rifle in The Dog Stars — Ex-Marine Bangley (Josh Brolin) keeps an eye on the perimeter, in “The Dog Stars.” (20th Century Studios)

It would appear that most of the crossbow-raiders Bangley snipes before they crossed the tree-line are desperate and starving, but some of them may have intended no ill will, according to Hig. To Bangley, if he so much as glimpses a weapon—they’re dead meat. A hardly surprising warrior philosophy.

The other question hanging about has to do with abundance: The two men have ample food and ammo. Bullets have become a rare commodity so many years after civilization’s collapse (hence the plethora of crossbows), but former gunny Bangley has the tools and munitions hand-loading skills to replenish his arsenal of sniper rifles.

Busting Out

Anyway, it’s (spoiler alert) Jasper’s eventual demise that motivates Hig to leave the safety of his airbase. He flies his yellow bucket of bolts 300 miles west to Grand Junction. He’s been picking up faint radio signals for a while, and believes they originate there.

Man with cowboy hat in The Dog Stars — Survivor “Pops” (Guy Pearce) hopes to keep his plot of land and his daughter safe from raiders, in “The Dog Stars.” (20th Century Studios)

An emergency landing, debilitating crash, and near-death experience via bison stampede put him in contact with survivors Cima (Margaret Qualley) and her grizzled dad “Pops” (Guy Pearce). After a miraculous restoration of his nearly totaled plane (seeing as how there are no parts available, from anywhere, ever again, I mean, c’mon)—off they all fly to Grand Junction.

young woman with plaid shirt and ball cap in The Dog Stars — Former med school student Cima (Margaret Qualley) discovering she might have a reason to finally forget her deceased husband, in “The Dog Stars.” (20th Century Studios)

The less I talk about the rather rousing, thoroughly campy, and completely tonally off-the-wall interlude involving Allison Janney as a circa 1950s’ flight attendant, who’s now the cult leader of a band of characters like something out of “The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra,” (2001), who, when they’re not bowling or golfing in period outfits—are listening to the air traffic control tower radio—the better.

young man and woman with yellow airplane in The Dog Stars — Hig (Jacob Elordi) and Cima (Margaret Qualley) share a rare, real coffee, in “The Dog Stars.” (20th Century Studios)

Trailing music reminiscent of Scott’s own “Thelma & Louise,” one wonders why Scott made this movie. Nearly 90 years old, perhaps he’s pondering how much time he has left, and whether he needs to concern himself with survivalism. Or maybe buy a dog.

Promotional poster for "The Dog Stars." (20th Century Studios) — Promotional poster for “The Dog Stars.” (20th Century Studios)

‘The Dog Stars’
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, Guy Pearce
MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 1 hour, 58 minutes
Release Date: Aug. 28, 2026
Rating: 3 stars out of 5

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Mark Jackson

Film Critic

Mark Jackson is the senior film critic for The Epoch Times and a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. Mark earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Williams College, followed by classical theater conservatory training, and has 20 years' experience as a New York professional actor. He narrated The Epoch Times audiobook "How the Specter of Communism Is Ruling Our World," available on iTunes, Audible, and YouTube. Mark is featured in the book "How to Be a Film Critic in Five Easy Lessons" by Christopher K. Brooks. In addition to films, he enjoys Harley-Davidsons, rock-climbing, qigong, martial arts, and human rights activism.

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