Old School. Biblically Independent.
By Dustin Rowles | Film | June 12, 2026
Two trailers premiered this week in which a dog features prominently, and you can’t have a dog film without asking the only question that actually matters: Does the dog die? A dog’s death doesn’t necessarily mean you should avoid the film — sometimes, the justice John Wick metes out makes it worth it — but it does mean you should prepare.
First up is The Dog Stars, which arrives on August 28th. It’s a post-apocalyptic film starring Margaret Qualley, Jacob Elordi, and Josh Brolin, directed by Ridley Scott. Here’s the trailer:
Does the dog die? Spoilers.
Yes. We know this because the film is based on Peter Heller’s novel of the same name. The dog’s death is reportedly devastating — it happens partway through the story — and it’s a turning point for Elordi’s character, who, having already lost his wife, loses the last thing that gave his life any meaning. What remains is a simple question: does he keep going?
Elsewhere, we have The Heart of the Beast, which reteams Brad Pitt and David Ayer (Fury). This time, Pitt battles the wilderness alongside his dog. Here’s the trailer:
Does the dog die? We can’t say for certain — it’s based on an original screenplay from Cameron Alexander (always a good thing). The dog saves Brad Pitt’s life multiple times, which is the cinematic equivalent of painting a target on the poor animal. The film’s tagline asks, “It’s not who we live for. It’s who we die for.” And then Pitt promises “one last mission” and declares “we’re not going to die out here,” which is about as reliable a death omen as a flickering candle in a horror movie. Dammit.
HOWEVER, a producer on the film has already put all of our minds at ease: The dog does not die.
Heart of the Beast opens in September.
