Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner, Thelma and Louise, Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, The Martian) directs Mark L. Smith’s adaptation of Peter Heller’s celebrated 2012 sci-fi novel about survivors living in a dystopian America after a flu pandemic wiped out most of humanity. Jacob Elordi is Hig, a civilian pilot; Josh Brolin is Bangley, a former marine and Hig’s companion; Margaret Qualley is Cima, a young medic and Hig’s eventual love interest; Guy Pearce is “Pops,” a rancher and Cima’s father; Allison Janney is Darlene, a former stewardess running an airport; and Benedict Wong is Aaron, leader of a Mennonite group. (118 min.)
Glen I now want to read Peter Heller’s book. The story is about maintaining your humanity when the world has gone to hell. Hig and Bangley are among the lucky survivors. They live at a remote abandoned airport in Erie, Colorado. Hig is adept at flying his little Cessna 182 into town to scavenge food and medicine from a few secret spots he knows. He also visits his old home, where he mourns his now dead but then pregnant wife, Melissa (Sai Bennett). While Bangley is cold and efficient and has no problem sniping anyone who comes onto their hilltop compound, Hig is filled with compassion. He often stops by a Mennonite community to bring them supplies and help fix whatever’s broken despite Bangley condemning Hig for recklessness and risking illness. They live a depressing routine, but they’re alive. Their biggest threat are the roving bands of raiders.
THE DOG STARS
What’s it rated? R
What’s it worth, Anna? Full price
What’s it worth, Glen? Full price
Where’s it showing? Colony, Downtown Centre, Park, Stadium 10
Anna I can’t believe you didn’t mention Jasper (Raksha), Hig’s Belgian Malinois, constant companion, and tether to his old life. Jasper is protector and friend and a small gleam of hope in Hig’s world. Hig’s stuck in his grief, so much so that he can’t help but dream of a less lonely world in Grand Junction, where he’s heard there’s a community. He’s tried talking Bangley into joining up with the Mennonites over and over, but Bangley flat-out refuses to abandon their compound. When Hig crash-lands his plane and trails a mule, he comes across Pops’ and Cima’s ranch. Cima is glad for the new face, but Pops is wary of anyone and everyone—and what we watch is this group of three slowly prove themselves to one another. I went into this film pretty blind, and I walked out so satisfied. Emotionally resonant, deeply human, and shot in what one could call “God’s country,” this film was a win. I don’t doubt I’ll watch it again.
Glen The complete erosion of trust among people is heartbreaking. When all that’s left are scraps and everyone’s a threat, some survivors create strength through numbers and overpower smaller pockets of survivors like Hig, Bangley, Cima, and Pops. Then there’s the strange case of Grand Junction, an airport run by Darlene. The best way to describe it is a kitschy retro airport bar and terminal. I won’t spoil this little side plot, but it represents another dark possibility in human survival at the end of the world. Janney is fantastic, and really, all the performances pack a punch. As bleak as it is, hope remains.
Anna Janney turned it out for this performance. That woman knows how to command an onscreen presence. Everyone is haunted in their own way, and ultimately that’s what brings them together. Shared trauma is real, people. With much of the movie spent in the sky over vast forests, rivers, and canyon lands, you can see why Hig likes being in the air. It’s away from the bitter and brutal reality that lies on the ground below. See this one in the theater. ∆
Arts Editor Glen Starkey and freelancer Anna Starkey write Split Screen. Comment at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Sept 3-10, 2026.
