Review: ‘The Dog Stars’ made me want to read the book, and that’s both a compliment and a criticism
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One of my movie rules has always been pretty simple: If I haven’t read the book before seeing the movie, chances are I’m never going to.
It’s not because I think the movie is always better. Quite the opposite. Books usually have more time to develop characters, build relationships, and explore the world in ways a two-hour movie simply can’t.
But once I’ve seen the movie, I already know where the story is headed. Even if the book offers more depth, some of the mystery is gone.
That’s why I usually read the book first and hope Hollywood gets the adaptation right.
“The Dog Stars” did something I honestly can’t remember another movie doing: It made me want to go read the novel.
Not because I loved the movie. Because I could tell there was a better story hiding underneath it.
A promising journey through the apocalypse
Based on Peter Heller’s bestselling novel, “The Dog Stars” follows Hig (Jacob Elordi), a former mechanic trying to survive years after a deadly pandemic has devastated civilization.
Living at an abandoned airfield with his loyal dog and a gruff survivalist, Hig’s lonely routine changes when he hears a mysterious radio transmission suggesting there may be other survivors. The possibility sends him on a journey that forces him to decide whether hope is still worth chasing in a world that has taken almost everything from him.
It’s a compelling premise, and one of the movie’s biggest strengths is what it doesn’t do. Rather than becoming another action-heavy apocalypse story, “The Dog Stars” aims for something quieter and more reflective. It’s interested in grief, loneliness, and human connection far more than explosions or monsters.
That’s exactly the kind of post-apocalyptic story I tend to enjoy. Unfortunately, it’s also where the movie comes up short.
The story never fully lands
Watching “The Dog Stars” often feels like walking into the middle of conversations that have been going on for years.
The relationships seem meaningful, the world feels lived in, and the emotional moments clearly matter. The problem is that the audience is asked to feel those emotions before we’ve been given enough reason to invest in them.
I never doubted there was history between these characters. I just didn’t feel like I knew enough about that history to fully care when the emotional payoffs arrived.
That’s why the movie left me with such an unusual reaction.
Instead of wondering what happened next, I found myself wondering what had been left out.
It felt less like a complete story and more like a highlight reel of one.
That isn’t always the fault of an adaptation. Condensing a novel into a feature film is incredibly difficult, especially one built more on relationships than plot. Still, the emotional foundation never feels sturdy enough to support the weight the movie asks it to carry.
Plenty to admire
To be fair, there are several things “The Dog Stars” does very well.
Jacob Elordi delivers a quiet, understated performance that fits Hig’s lonely existence, and the supporting cast brings authenticity.
Ridley Scott also reminds us why he’s considered one of cinema’s greatest visual storytellers. The abandoned landscapes are hauntingly beautiful, creating a world that feels both desolate and strangely peaceful.
The music is another standout. Both the original score and the carefully selected songs elevate scenes that otherwise might not carry enough emotional weight on their own.
Unfortunately, beautiful filmmaking can only carry a story so far.
The pacing often feels uneven, the movie shifts between survival thriller, romance, emotional drama, and action film without ever fully settling into any one identity, and the ending arrives so abruptly that it feels less like a conclusion than a stopping point.
A legend still chasing another classic
Ridley Scott’s name still carries enormous expectations.
It should.
This is the filmmaker behind classics like “Alien,” “Blade Runner,” “Gladiator,” and “The Martian.” When a new Ridley Scott movie is announced, it still feels like an event.
Lately, though, I’ve found myself leaving his movies with the same thought. That was almost great.
“Napoleon” looked spectacular but struggled to connect emotionally. “Gladiator II” was entertaining but couldn’t escape comparisons to its predecessor. “The Dog Stars” joins that growing list of movies filled with impressive craftsmanship that never quite become the unforgettable experience they seem capable of being.
Should you see it?
If you’re already a fan of Peter Heller’s novel or you’re drawn to quieter, character-driven post-apocalyptic stories, there’s still plenty here to appreciate. The performances are strong, the visuals are gorgeous, and the atmosphere is consistently engaging.
Just know that the emotional payoff may not match the promise of the premise.
Ironically, that’s exactly why I’ll probably be picking up the book.
Movies rarely convince me to read the source material after the credits roll.
“The Dog Stars” did.
Not because it told a great story, but because it convinced me there was one waiting to be discovered.