Ridley Scott returns to sci-fi with ‘The Dog Stars,’ a dystopian story built on hope

Ridley Scott is heading back into the world of science fiction — but his latest film is not another alien invasion, robot uprising or zombie apocalypse.

Instead, “The Dog Stars” imagines a world devastated by a pandemic, where survival is difficult but hope, human connection and the willingness to love again remain at the heart of the story.

The film, based on Peter Heller’s 2012 novel, had its world premiere in London on Thursday, bringing together Scott and a cast led by Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, Guy Pearce and Benedict Wong.

A pandemic survivor searching for something more

Jacob Elordi stars as Hig, a mechanic living in the aftermath of a pandemic that has wiped out much of humanity, including his wife.

He has made a life for himself at an abandoned airport in Erie, Colorado, alongside his ageing dog and Bangley, a former military man played by Josh Brolin. But Hig does not remain grounded for long.

Flying an old yellow Cessna, he ventures out in search of supplies and signs that other people may still be alive. A fragmented radio signal eventually leads him towards Cima, played by Margaret Qualley, and Pops, portrayed by Guy Pearce — opening the door to both danger and the possibility of a new beginning.

Why Ridley Scott said yes to the project

For Scott, the appeal of “The Dog Stars” began with the screenplay.

The veteran filmmaker said he was immediately drawn to Mark L. Smith’s adaptation of Heller’s novel, explaining that a strong science-fiction script is something he pays close attention to.

As he read, Scott said he became increasingly invested in whether the story could maintain its momentum. By the time he reached the end, he had his answer.

At 88, Scott returns to the genre after almost a decade away from directing a major science-fiction film. The director, whose work includes “Alien,” “Blade Runner,” “The Martian” and “Prometheus,” said he wanted this story to stand apart from the familiar post-apocalyptic formula.

“There have been so many zombie movies,” he said at the London premiere. “There are no zombies in this.”

More importantly, Scott wanted the film to leave room for optimism.

A dystopian film that looks for hope

While the setting may be bleak, the cast and filmmakers say “The Dog Stars” is ultimately less interested in destruction than in what remains of humanity after everything falls apart.

Author Peter Heller said he placed no restrictions on the adaptation and was impressed by what the filmmakers had created. For him, the central idea of the story survived the journey from page to screen: the importance of keeping one's heart open and taking the risk of connecting with others.

Benedict Wong, who plays a member of a Mennonite community, echoed that view, describing the film as a story rooted in hope, decency and human connection during devastating times.

That emotional core could help distinguish “The Dog Stars” from more conventional dystopian thrillers.

Jacob Elordi on working with Ridley Scott — and his canine co-star

The production itself was as ambitious as audiences might expect from a Ridley Scott film.

Most of the movie was shot on location in Italy, using multiple cameras to capture the scale of its post-apocalyptic world.

Elordi described the production as enormous, saying Scott's reputation for epic filmmaking was reflected in the scale of the shoot.

But one of his most memorable co-stars was not another Hollywood actor.

Rak Jasper, the dog who appears alongside Elordi's character, became a key part of the experience. Elordi credited the animal's trainers for the hard work, joking that his own job largely involved showing up with a treat in his pocket.

When will ‘The Dog Stars’ be released?

Following its London world premiere, “The Dog Stars” is set to begin its global theatrical rollout on August 26.

For Ridley Scott, the film marks a return to a genre that has produced some of his most influential work. But this time, beneath the abandoned landscapes, pandemic devastation and struggle for survival lies a simpler message.

In a world where nearly everything has been lost, “The Dog Stars” asks whether people can still find a reason to trust, connect and hope again.