The Dog Stars

With "The Dog Stars – The Stars After the End," Ridley Scott marks his thirtieth film and his first true venture into the post-apocalyptic genre, adapting Peter Heller's bestseller with a screenplay by Mark L. Smith. Produced by 20th Century Studios and distributed by Disney, the film follows pilot Hig, played by Jacob Elordi, who lives in a world ravaged by a pandemic alongside the pragmatic former soldier Bangley, a Josh Brolin in top form.

The discovery of a faint radio signal drives Hig to undertake a risky journey into the unknown, where he will cross paths with characters like Cima, portrayed by Margaret Qualley, and her father, Guy Pearce. The true heart of the narrative, beyond the solid chemistry between the protagonists, is the touching relationship between Hig and his dog Jasper, played by the Italian Belgian Shepherd Raksha, which infuses the film with a sense of authenticity and hope. Filmed between the majestic Dolomites and Cinecittà studios, the film stands out for its contemplative direction and powerful cinematography, choosing to tell the end of the world through the lens of empathy and the rebuilding of trust, rather than mere cynicism.