If you didn’t get enough of Jacob Elordi’s beautiful brooding act in Emerald Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights” trainwreck, there’s more where that came from in Ridley Scott’s “The Dog Stars” (20th Century Studios). In fairness, Elordi is better in “The Dog Stars,” and even cracks some smiles. Plus, he has a sweet dog companion in the first 30 minutes of the movie.
Set in the years following a deadly pandemic which has wiped out huge numbers of the population, mechanic Hig (Elordi), his dog Jasper, and survivalist Bangley (Josh Brolin, who has come a long way since “The Goonies”), share space in an abandoned Erie, Colorado airfield.
Hig, who also has experience as a pilot with a fascination for the constellations, is a widower whose wife Melissa (Sai Bennett) died during the pandemic. Jasper is Hig’s last link to his former life. Despite Bangley’s protestations, Hig is also a do-gooder who flies supplies to a Mennonite community headed by Aaron (Benedict Wong, the gay principal in “Weapons”). This kindness will be repaid later.
Hig and Bangley look out for each other, aware that there are scavengers and feral survivors known as “reapers” who wouldn’t think twice about killing them or Jasper. Following an attack that ends tragically for Jasper, Hig decides to leave and head for Grand Junction where he thinks there might be a safe settlement. Bangley stays behind.
On his way west, Hig’s plane has engine trouble, and he must land. His first encounter with Cima (Margaret Qualley) and her rancher father Pops aka Jack (Guy Pearce of “…Priscilla…” fame) is tense, but after a few days he manages to endear himself (especially to Cima, who is also widowed). Nevertheless, he still plans to leave for Grand Junction.
This is where “The Dog Stars” shifts gears, becoming a more brutally violent movie. In separate, miles apart attacks, by different intruders, Hig, Cima, and Pops, as well as Bangley, come under vicious siege. Bangley takes on the ruthless invaders like a one-man killing machine, although his fate is unclear. Hig, Cima, and Pops are also able to escape their assailants and head for Grand Junction.
Another twist, much more bizarre and terrifying than anything preceding it, takes place when the trio arrives at the Grand Junction airport. The building under the leadership of Darlene (Allison Janney), dressed like an old school stewardess, is a combination of a time warp and house of horrors, complete with a meat locker full of dismembered body parts. Once again, it’s Hig who saves the day, and gets Cima and Pops to safety.
Director Scott has been keeping us riveted since “Alien,” “Blade Runner,” “Thelma & Louise,” and more recently “The Martian.” Perhaps it’s because of his distinctive touch that he’s able to bring Mark L. Smith’s flawed screenplay to life just long enough to keep us from losing interest.
Rating: C
