Kojima’s reaction to The Dog Stars
The Art of the Unsaid: Hideo Kojima’s Polite Disappointment with The Dog Stars
In the high-stakes world of cinema, where sharp critiques are often expected, some artists choose a different path. Legendary video game designer Hideo Kojima recently demonstrated this philosophy when posting his thoughts on Ridley Scott’s The Dog Stars. Rather than offering a definitive judgment, Kojima opted for a masterful display of restraint, operating under the guiding principle: If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.
His short post, which touched on the film’s source material and cinematic mood, perfectly encapsulated a sense of polite, yet palpable, disappointment. While many movie reviews aim for explosive verdicts, Kojima seemed content to let the silence speak volumes. He explored the relationship between the film and Peter Heller’s original novel—a literary depth that often bypasses surface-level action—and even lamented the omission of standard theatrical souvenirs, suggesting a subtle dissatisfaction with the production’s presentation.
This approach is a rare departure from Kojima’s history of strong opinions. While he has offered glowing praise for other projects, including Supergirl and Backrooms, his silence regarding The Dog Stars is particularly striking. It suggests that for Kojima, true artistic appreciation sometimes lies in unspoken reflection, allowing the mood and atmosphere to settle rather than subjecting them to a harsh judgment.
The contrast between the film’s commercial reality and its production cost only deepens this mood. Despite a production budget of nearly $80 million, The Dog Stars opened with less than $8 million at the US box office. This financial discrepancy further suggests that the film’s impact is more felt in the realm of artistic vision than immediate commercial success.
Yet, the story of this production is far from over. Ridley Scott remains an enduring force, and his appetite for epic sci-fi action is clearly reignited. Just a year later, Scott has revealed that a third Alien prequel starring Michael Fassbender’s David is currently in development, demonstrating that the cinematic universe he commands continues to evolve.
While the world waits for more definitive commentary from Kojima, the quiet contemplation he shared about The Dog Stars serves as a powerful reminder that sometimes, the most profound reactions are found not in the words we speak, but in the space we leave between them.
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