The Dog Stars

Hig (Jacob Elordi) and Bangley are two survivors living at a remote airstrip up amidst the mountains of Colorado. A world-wide epidemic has almost wiped out the Earth’s population. As far as Hig and Bangley are concerned they are the only ones left alive besides roving gangs of violent killers, and a remote village of peaceful Amish Mennonites.

Hig, has made it his responsibility to avoid the killers, while flying into town to get himself and the settlement supplies.

Bangley (Josh Brolin) keeps a never-ending vigil on his airfield shooting any armed trespassers who approach, while Hig and his dog Jasper are content just to fly the beautiful cloud-covered mountains. Despite their situation, Hig never loses the hope that he will eventually find other civilized survivors.

One day Hig decides to fly out and confirm for himself if civilization exists anywhere beyond the mountain range, leaving his capable but heavily armed warrior friend behind. Flying westward, a mechanical problem brings him to a ranch where he meets Pops (Guy Pearce) and his daughter Cima (Margaret Qualley). An uneasy truce develops between the three of them which will prompt Hig to either decide to stay to live some semblance of a normal life, or to fly away and continue seeking his dream.

“The Dog Stars” is a tale of post-apocalyptic survival, primarily from Higs’ point-of-view, marked by the occasional killing, culminating in several mass killing of bloodthirsty survivors who have long since left their humanity behind. A mostly introspective film, as you might surmise there are also a lot of inappropriate elements.

Objectionable Content

VIOLENCE: Very Heavy. Bangley is seen shooting trespassers in the head, eye and body, and when close enough he slits their throats with his knife. He also mows down approaching hoards with automatic weapons. Besides guns, both arrows and knives are used mercilessly and to devastating effect. Gasoline explosions as well as hand grenades add to the high death count. Men are shown on fire, burning alive and a burnt and scarred face is showcased front and center.

The marauders, almost all men have markings on their bodies that may be tattoos, but may also be something worse. Piles of dead bodies are shown and flies are buzzing around them. Cannibalism is suggested via packaged body parts. A dog is stabbed. A stampede of animals almost kills someone.

LANGUAGE: Extreme. 50+ f-words (2 more with ‘mother’ attached), 14+ s-words, 2 a**-h*le, b*tch, and one “h*ll” rounds out the curses. The Lord’s name is taken in vain several times including G*d-d**n twice and the title of The Christ, both times disrespectfully.

SEX/NUDITY: Mild. No sex is shown and only some kissing is ever seen and it is not intense, but rather affectionate. A couple is seen sleeping next to each other but nothing further is implied. Cima’s top is tight but not transparent. All the marauders that are men are shirtless.

ALCOHOL/TOBACCO: Mild. Hig and Bangley are shown drinking, and alcohol is prominent at one survivor encampment. Hig and Cima share a fresh rolled cigarette.

WOKE ELEMENTS: There is a brief mentioning of the killer virus and someone says, “vaccines, which could have saved millions, ran out.”

Lessons

Despite the bleak backdrop, the film focuses upon some universally meaningful themes such as humanity, mercy, vengeance and finding a purpose in life.

Humanity. Bangley, refers to most people as ‘roaches’ and encourages Hig to do the same. Hig tells him it wasn’t meant to be that way,, and he continues to help the Mennonites even though Bangley strongly disagrees. Likewise, when Pops and Cima eventually extend an uneasy truce with Hig, they are taking a chance by believing in at least this particular fellow-man. The Word of God reminds us why we are not roaches or, in fact any kind of animal.

“…God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” —Genesis 1:27

The psalmist David was also amazed by how much God cared for His creation when he said:

“What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.” —Psalm 8:4, 5

The Apostle John reminds us that we hold a special position in God’s eyes, the very reason why we alone can call Him Father.

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” —1 John 3:1

Mercy. Hig has the chance to kill someone who just a moment earlier was shooting at him, and instead Hig backs away letting him live. Bangley later suggests that the ‘roach,’ as he refers to him, may come back to get him. Hig does not change how he deals with people, no matter how often Bangley chastises him.

“For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” —James 2:13

Furthermore, Holy Scripture is replete with lessons on why we should show mercy, not the least of which is because God shows mercy to us each and every day.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” —Ephesians 2:4, 5, 6

Since the Mennonites believe in following Jesus, and making His teachings central to their faith, it is not hard to see that the help they get from Hig is because they seek to be close to God.

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” —Hebrews 4:16

VENGEANCE. Hig is the film’s hero, but I do not want to suggest he is a saint. When he and his companions are threatened with fates that are, let us say ‘worse than death,’ they manage to escape but he still returns to exact revenge. The Word of God is clear on this throughout the Bible and this is just one verse that reminds us to trust God to dispense justice.

“Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.” —Deuteronomy 32:35

Purpose or meaning in Life. In a quiet moment of reflection, Hig tells Bangley that ‘this world suits you’ since he was a ‘survivalist’ long before everything fell apart. Whereas, years ago when Hig lived in his house with his wife and new puppy Jasper, he could not believe how lucky he was. Today Hig is desperately looking for a reason to live. Perhaps that is why he helps the nearby Mennonites (Anabaptist Christians). He embraces the second part of what Jesus taught, while missing the primary figure of God.

Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. —Matthew 22:37, 38, 39

Closing Thoughts

The biggest missed opportunity might be the film not giving a larger role to the Mennonites and its leader, Aaron (Benedict Wong). Bangley is given ample screen time to mock them, but aside from some quick exchanges we never learn more about life in this secluded Christian community nor hear of their beliefs. I can only imagine that the novel on which this movie is based on might have more to say on the matter.

The movie focuses much of its time on “world building” by meeting as few characters as possible before several groups of savage, violent and psychotic killers enter the picture. Audience’s may find themselves at first questioning, “where is this all leading,” to then asking, “when will the madness end”?

As you might have guessed already, what starts as a more thoughtful film addressing life in a post-apocalyptic Earth, shifts in tone by the final act to morph into a cross between the zombie film “28 Days Later” and the post-nuclear war series, “Fallout.”

“The Dog Stars” is mostly slow paced, even laborious, before ultimately turning into a dark macabre thriller. Director Ridley Scott has chosen to adapt a novel whose main protagonist has lost everything, and yet chooses to believe in people and that is rare. In the final analysis, the movie’s narrative makes for an uneven film that is less engaging than you might expect.

• Vulgar/Crude language: Extreme
• Violence: Very Heavy
• Profane language: Moderate
• Nudity: Minor
• Sex: Minor
• Drugs/Alcohol: Minor
• Wokeism: Mild
• Occult: None

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.