Directed by Ridley Scott.
The Dog Stars was released in theaters on August 28, 2026.
Distributed by 20th Century Studios.
The Dog Stars (2026) Movie Review
The Dog Stars is a post-apocalyptic drama about Hig, a former pilot trying to survive after a deadly pandemic.
Living with his dog and the tough Bangley, Hig finds hope when he receives a strange radio signal.
The movie focuses more on survival, loneliness and human connection than nonstop action.
Jacob Elordi gives a quiet and emotional performance, while Josh Brolin adds strength and tension.
Margaret Qualley and Guy Pearce also bring depth to the story.
The movie has beautiful visuals and a serious mood.
Overall, The Dog Stars is a good choice for viewers who enjoy slow, emotional survival stories with mystery.
CR Rating: 7/10.
The Dog Stars Actors
Jacob Elordi as Hig
DOB: June 26, 1997.
Bio: Australian actor born in Brisbane, Queensland.
He developed an interest in acting while attending school, where he performed in musicals and plays, while also competing at a high level in rugby and basketball.
His professional breakthrough came with The Kissing Booth films, followed by his acclaimed performance as Nate Jacobs in HBO’s Euphoria.
Role: Hig is the central character of The Dog Stars.
He is a former pilot who survives a devastating pandemic but loses his wife in the collapse of civilization.
Living in isolation with his dog Jasper and the heavily armed Bangley, Hig spends his days flying his small plane and protecting their remote home.
Interesting facts: Elordi grew up playing rugby and basketball and was part of a Victorian under-16 national championship basketball team.
Notable Works: Euphoria, The Kissing Booth, Saltburn, Priscilla, Frankenstein.
Margaret Qualley as Cima
DOB: October 23, 1994.
Bio: American actress born in Kalispell, Montana, and raised in Asheville, North Carolina.
The daughter of actress Andie MacDowell and former model Paul Qualley, she initially pursued a career in dance.
Role: Margaret Qualley plays Cima, a doctor and survivor living in a remote mountainous community with her father, Pops, after a devastating pandemic has decimated civilization.
Her medical knowledge makes her particularly valuable in a world where access to professional healthcare has become extremely limited.
Interesting facts: Qualley trained seriously as a ballet dancer and was once preparing for a professional dance career before realizing that acting was what she wanted.
Notable Works: The Leftovers, Fosse/Verdon, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Maid, The Substance.
Josh Brolin as Bangley
DOB: February 12, 1968.
Bio: American actor born in Santa Monica, California.
He grew up in California and became interested in acting during high school.
After beginning his career as a young performer, he gradually developed into an acclaimed character actor capable of playing dramatic, intimidating and emotionally complicated figures.
Role: Bangley is a former Marine and survivalist who shares Hig’s isolated home.
Unlike Hig, Bangley is deeply suspicious of other survivors and believes survival requires constant caution and sometimes extreme violence.
His weapons, military experience and practical approach help protect their settlement.
Interesting facts: Brolin is the son of actor James Brolin.
He has spoken openly about growing up in California during the 1980s and the difficult experiences that shaped his early life.
Notable Works: The Goonies, No Country for Old Men, Milk, Sicario, Dune, Avengers: Endgame.
Guy Pearce as Pops
DOB: October 5, 1967.
Bio: Australian actor and musician born in Ely, Cambridgeshire, England, and raised in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
He moved to Australia with his family when he was three years old and became interested in acting and performance while growing up.
Role: Guy Pearce plays Pops, Cima’s father and an older survivor living with her in their secluded mountain home after the collapse of civilization.
Pops represents an older generation attempting to preserve family, knowledge and a sense of normality in a world transformed by the pandemic.
Interesting facts: Pearce moved from England to Australia with his family at the age of three.
His father, Stuart Pearce, was a Royal Australian Air Force test pilot who died in a plane crash in 1973.
Notable Works: Neighbours, Memento, L.A. Confidential, The King’s Speech, Mare of Easttown.
Allison Janney as Darlene
DOB: November 19, 1959.
Bio: American actress known for her work in film, television and theatre.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, and raised in Dayton, Ohio, she studied at Kenyon College, where she became involved in theatre.
She later received professional acting training at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York.
Role: Darlene is one of the supporting characters in the post-apocalyptic world of The Dog Stars.
Her presence adds another perspective to the film’s exploration of how survivors adapt to a world where familiar institutions and social structures have disappeared.
Interesting facts: Janney was discovered by Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward while she was studying at Kenyon College.
They encouraged her to continue her theatrical training in New York.
Notable Works: The West Wing, Mom, I, Tonya, The Help, Juno.
Benedict Wong as Aaron
DOB: July 3, 1971.
Bio: English actor born in Eccles, Lancashire, England.
He developed an interest in acting while growing up and trained at the Salford College of Further Education.
Wong began his professional career in theatre, radio and television.
Role: Aaron is one of the survivors encountered within the wider world of the film.
His character contributes to the story’s exploration of what remains of human society after the pandemic and how different survivors have responded to the collapse.
Interesting facts: Wong began his professional career in theatre and radio before moving into television and film.
His career has included both British and American productions.
Notable Works: Doctor Strange, Avengers: Infinity War, Marco Polo, The Martian, Deadly Class.
Ewen Bremner as Crossbow Hunter
DOB: January 23, 1972.
Bio: Scottish actor born in Edinburgh, Scotland.
He initially dreamed of becoming a circus clown before an opportunity to perform on television led him toward acting.
Bremner is known for his versatility and his ability to portray eccentric, vulnerable and unpredictable characters.
Role: Ewen Bremner plays Crossbow Hunter, a dangerous survivor encountered during Hig’s journey in The Dog Stars.
Armed with a crossbow, the character represents the unpredictable dangers Hig faces beyond the relative security of his isolated home.
Interesting facts: Bremner originally wanted to become a circus clown.
His acting career began after television director Richard D. Brooks gave him an opportunity to perform.
Notable Works: Trainspotting, T2 Trainspotting, Black Hawk Down, Wonder Woman, Snowpiercer.
James Craze as Logan
DOB: N/A.
Bio: British actor known for his work in film and television.
He has appeared in a range of British and international productions, taking on supporting and guest roles across drama, action and thriller projects.
Role: James Craze plays Logan, a supporting character in The Dog Stars.
Logan is part of the wider post-apocalyptic world Hig encounters as he travels beyond the relative safety of his isolated home.
Interesting facts: Craze has appeared in several British television productions, including Andor, SAS Rogue Heroes and Sweetpea.
Notable Works: Andor, SAS Rogue Heroes, Sweetpea, Clean Sweep.
Sam Spruell as John
DOB: October 9, 1977.
Bio: English character actor who studied at Hull University before beginning his stage career with the National Theatre.
His work spans British television and international productions, where his controlled performances often give weight to supporting roles.
Role: John is a supporting character whose presence expands the dangerous world surrounding Hig and the other survivors.
He forms part of the human landscape that Hig encounters as he searches for the source of the mysterious radio transmission.
Interesting facts: Spruell began his acting career on stage before moving into screen work.
Notable Works: The Last Ship, The Bastard Executioner, Fargo, The Runaway.
Sai Bennett as Melissa
DOB: May 30, 1990.
Bio: English actress and former model born in Aldershot, Hampshire.
She grew up in Hackney, East London, and began modeling as a teenager before pursuing acting.
After receiving encouragement from a former drama teacher, Bennett began taking acting classes and transitioned into screen work.
Role: Melissa is a supporting character in the survivor community depicted in The Dog Stars.
Her character contributes to the film’s broader picture of people attempting to rebuild some form of human connection after the collapse of civilization.
Interesting facts: Bennett began modeling at around 13 years old and was represented by Storm Model Management.
Notable Works: Mr Selfridge, The Spanish Princess, Mood, Trapped.
More Actors
• Sebastian Rokison-Woodall as Ben.
• Alara-Star Khan as Matilda.
• Daisy Kakkar as Mennonite Woman.
• Brendan O’Rourke as Bar Man – Grand Junction.
FAQ – The Dog Stars (2026) Movie
What is The Dog Stars about?
It follows Hig, a former pilot surviving a devastating pandemic with his dog Jasper and survivalist Bangley. A mysterious radio transmission encourages Hig to search for other survivors.
Is The Dog Stars based on a book?
Yes. It is based on Peter Heller’s 2012 post-apocalyptic novel The Dog Stars.
What genre is The Dog Stars?
It is a post-apocalyptic survival drama and thriller with elements of science fiction and romance.
How long is The Dog Stars?
The movie has a runtime of approximately 118 minutes, or 1 hour and 58 minutes.
Where can I watch The Dog Stars?
The film initially released exclusively in theaters. A Disney+ streaming date has not yet been announced.
Conclusion
The Dog Stars is a thoughtful post-apocalyptic movie that combines survival, mystery and human emotion.
Its strong performances and beautiful visuals make it worth watching, especially for viewers who prefer emotional stories over nonstop action.