Jacob Elordi on why The Dog Stars made him question his life
BBC News explores the themes of Sir Ridley Scott's latest film, The Dog Stars, and its connection to our world in the wake of the Covid pandemic.
Devastating Pandemic, Ancillary Themes, and a Star-Studded Cast
A post-apocalyptic world, where a deadly flu has depleted society, serves as the backdrop for The Dog Stars, based on Peter Heller's 2012 novel. Jacob Elordi, the film's lead actor, plays Hig, a former mechanic turned pilot searching for a better life over Colorado with his dog, Jasper.
"The film portrays 'the human condition,' with characters living in 'the apocalypse' but 'still looking for something else and hoping for something else," Elordi shares.
The film, starring Guy Pearce, Margaret Qualley, and Josh Brolin, draws parallels with our recent past, with its aerial shots of abandoned cities and Hig's quest for essential supplies.
A Dystopian Future and Contentment
Elordi, nominated for an Oscar this year for Frankenstein, reflects on the film's relevance, saying, "There were a few moments I remember looking around [on set] and thinking it's strange to be doing this make-believe, when the reality is just behind us and just in front of us."
He continues, "A dystopian future like the one portrayed in the film is 'frightening to think about' but 'it's something we have to examine and remember, because we are on the cusp of these realities."
The actor resonates with his character's struggle to find contentment. "Everything is sweet for us—we're able to walk around on the street, go to the shops, go to the park, have dinner with each other, and we still go to bed and think 'What else is there?' 'What am I missing?' 'What's wrong?' and nothing is."
A Star-Studded Ensemble and Environmental Parallels
Guy Pearce, who plays Pops, the survivor who meets Hig, agrees on the film's pertinence. "You can go to the supermarket and get food and wake up with your family—a lot of people even to this day don't live like that, so I am absolutely aware of [my] privilege."
Both Pearce and Elordi connect with the film's environmental themes, reflecting their personal experiences with natural disasters in their native Australia. "I've been in Australia when there's been serious bushfires," says Pearce, whose state was damaged earlier this year.
The Dog Stars offers "a note of hope", according to Pearce, as it encourages viewers to "examine this world we take for granted."