At 88 years old, Ridley Scott continues to craft films at an impressive pace. While results may vary, his movies almost always offer elements of brilliance, even if the final products aren’t entirely brilliant. The new post-apocalyptic thriller, The Dog Stars, is a great example of this. This is a highly flawed film peppered with magnificent filmmaking.

After the world falls to a deadly pandemic, a group of survivors search for salvation. Jacob Elordi leads, with support from Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley and Guy Pearce.

The Dog Stars is a film which is weaker than the sum of its parts. As a whole, the story is muddled and never quite reaches its goals, but if we focus on some key elements (and certain scenes), there is a fair amount to enjoy. Jacob Elordi is unfortunately miscast as the protagonist, as is Margaret Qualley. Both feel too “perfect” for a film set in a broken world. Their characters aren’t given much room to develop either, but despite this, some pockets of interesting ideas manage to shine amidst the darkness. Josh Brolin and Guy Pearce are essential in this regard, as their performances stand out amongst the rest.

The story itself is fine enough, and while it never quite excels in any area, audiences will never be bored watching the story unfold. This is where a few technical elements, Erik Messerschmidt’s cinematography in particular, boost the viewing experience. Two scenes stand out as incredible sequences offering tense scenarios, allowing Ridley Scott’s mastery to flourish.

At certain points, this film edges into the territory of the surreal. The movie’s pacing doesn’t let these “odd” scenes breathe, but these sparks of originality do offer a unique flavour. Some more time spent within these spaces would have done the film a world of good.

The Dog Stars is an uneven experience that disappoints more than it impresses. It’s not a bad film by any means, and its positives ensure that viewers will find a fair amount to enjoy, but as a whole, it’s largely forgettable and hard to recommend.