Jacob Elordi's New Ridley Scott Movie 'The Dog Stars' Trashed as a Boring Apocalyptic Flop

Ridley Scott is back in the director's chair for another dystopian world, but critics are calling his latest feature a complete snooze fest. *The Dog Stars* drops viewers into a bleak future where a brutal flu pandemic has wiped out nearly the entire population of the United States. Despite starring Hollywood heavyweights like Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin, early reviews indicate the movie fails to deliver anything fresh to the post-apocalyptic genre. Set roughly a decade after the deadly virus devastates the country, the story centers on Denver, Colorado—now a ghost town overrun with abandoned wreckage. *Euphoria* heartthrob Jacob Elordi stars as Hig, a lone survivor who spends his days flying a small Cessna aircraft alongside his faithful dog, Jasper. Joined by a rough-around-the-edges survivalist named Bangley, played by Josh Brolin, the pair somehow navigate the wasteland with an endless stash of fuel, weapons, and ammunition. ## What is Ridley Scott The Dog Stars about Despite the desolate setting, reviews point out that the film's world-building feels oddly low-stakes and full of absurdities. Survivors in this ruinous vision of Colorado appear surprisingly inept at basic scavenging, leaving behind heaps of uncollected goods. In one bizarrely specific narrative choice highlighted by reviewers, soft drinks like Sprite seem to be everywhere, with a surviving family of Mennonites even praising the soda as a divine blessing. Critics argue that while Scott has previously mastered sci-fi atmospheres, *The Dog Stars* lacks the tension and emotional depth needed to make its grim world compelling. Instead of offering a tense fight for survival, the narrative drifts listlessly through standard post-apocalyptic tropes without giving its main characters much meaningful direction. ## The Dog Stars release details and cast The film relies heavily on the star power of Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin to pull viewers through its sluggish runtime. Elordi continues his streak of high-profile film projects following his breakout roles in *Saltburn* and *Priscilla*, while Brolin brings his trademark gruff intensity to the wasteland. However, early reaction suggests that even their combined charismatic presence isn't enough to rescue the lethargic pacing. With negative early notices painting *The Dog Stars* as a skippable entry in Scott's vast filmography, moviegoers might want to temper their expectations before heading into this flu-ravaged future.