Ridley Scott's latest film, "The Dog Stars," is a subdued, character-driven adaptation of Peter Heller's 2012 dystopian novel, starring Jacob Elordi and Margaret Qualley. Despite Disney appearing to underpromote the release with minimal fanfare and a misleading trailer, the review argues the film is Scott's best work since "The Martian" 11 years ago, favouring reflective drama and human compassion over conventional post-apocalyptic action.

Set in Colorado in 2035, a decade after an influenza pandemic devastated humanity, the story follows widower Hig (Elordi) and his dog Jasper as they survive alongside gruff veteran Bangley (Josh Brolin) at an abandoned airstrip. Hig's willingness to help a vulnerable Mennonite community, led by Aaron (Benedict Wong), creates tension with the more ruthless Bangley, while a chance encounter with widow Cima (Qualley) and her father draws Hig further from the compound. The film, adapted by Mark L. Smith and shot across Italy's Alpine and Abruzzo regions standing in for Colorado, is described as a melancholic Western rather than a shoot-'em-up thriller.