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NOT everyone may be a fan of movies with post-apocalyptic themes, and this writer is no exception. I was honestly hesitant to attend the screening of Dog Stars after receiving the invitation, but being a seasoned writer I can assure you that we are often surprised from the many events we attend.
Lo and behold, pleasantly surprised I was. Dog Stars, like many films bearing such themes will make you think of what you would do if something similar happened to you. The science fiction action thriller directed by Ridley Scott, adapted from the screenplay by Mark L. Smith, is based on the 2012 novel by Peter Heller.
The film stars Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, and Guy Pearce, and follows the survivors of a global flu pandemic.
And since we have all experienced the Covid-19 Pandemic some five years ago, this fictional depiction is somewhat relatable to us viewers (at least it was for this writer).
Set in the near future circa 2035, it tells the tale of Higs a mechanic who lives with his dog Jasper and a former Marine named Bangley. The three of them live in a remote area as survivors of a pandemic that wiped out a huge portion of the world's population. This includes Higs' wife who died during the pandemic.
At the same time, the world is also threatened by the existence of some rogue tribes who are not explained in the story and seen just as a group of 'deviant' human beings out to loot the planet and destroy others who are not of the same breed.
Constantly on their toes, Higs and Bangley try their best to stay safe and continue their daily life by scavenging whatever supply they can find from what is left in the nearby city.
Higs regularly flies a small Cessna plane to get to the city since their hide-out is currently high up in a mountainous area. He also visits a secluded Mennonite community regularly, that he often assists during his routine visits.
In his daily trips to the city, he has caught radio signals from a place called the Grand Junction which he believes is a safe haven of other surviving humans. Bangley however warns him that Grand Junction may not be the paradise he is thinking of.
While planning his search for the illusive Grand Junction, their home turf is attacked by a group of unknown people killing his dog Jasper. The incident takes a toll on Higs and motivates him to look for Grand Junction even more, leaving Bangley who refuses to follow him on the quest.
As he makes his way flying to find the Grand Junction signal, his plane encounters a problem forcing him to crash land in a distant remote forest where he meets a lady named Cima and her father Jack.
It is during this period of his journey that Higs finds temporary relief, bonding with Jack and Cima and also develops romantic feelings for Cima.
Unfortunately, Jack and Cima's home also gets attacked, forcing them to flee and eventually finding the Grand Junction.
The flick showcases a simple storyline about how people survive under extreme circumstances in a time where hope seems lost or can only be created by those who are bold and brave.
But what appealed to this writer is the fact that it was not your typical zombie apocalypse movie where all the main characters do is run and shoot disfigured walking corpses.
The survivor characters of the story seek solace in finding their own motivation to continue living and I believe that is something everyone can comprehend.
Furthermore, the tale didn't seem 'forced' (for the lack of a better word) by the author who wanted to tell an easy story of a guy who just really misses his wife and his old life, with his canine companion as his only refuge he holds on to.
The movie, effortlessly shares the compassionate human side of vulnerable people who still believe in doing good despite knowing how low the odds of life may be.
This writer believes, that is the lesson behind the movie that some may or may not entirely capture.
Hence, if you are searching for a post-apocalyptic movie where survivors thrive on destroying zombies then this may not be your cup of ‘Z’. But if you believe there is more to surviving in a grave post-pandemic world, then you might just find your alignment in ‘Dog Stars’.
Dog Stars is currently showing in all cinemas across Malaysia.
