Ridley Scott’s ‘The Dog Stars’ Receives One of His Lowest Rotten Tomatoes Scores

Ridley Scott remains relentless in his pursuit of new genres. At 87, the visionary director behind ‘Alien,’ ‘Blade Runner,’ and ‘Gladiator’ returns to familiar territory with a grim, near-future survival tale.

‘The Dog Stars’ marks Scott’s first true foray into post-apocalyptic cinema, adapted from Peter Heller’s 2012 novel of the same name. The narrative centers on Hig, a civilian pilot eking out an existence on an abandoned airbase following a devastating flu pandemic, and his uneasy partnership with a hardened military survivalist named Bangley.

With critics now weighing in, the reception has not been the triumphant return many anticipated. As of this week, ‘The Dog Stars’ holds a mere 38% on the Tomatometer from 55 reviews, with the film’s Popcornmeter score still pending ahead of its wide theatrical release.

This places the film among the more controversial entries in Scott’s extensive career, with several outlets noting that its score is comparable to some of his lowest-rated works. Critics are divided on whether the film’s slower, character-driven approach enhances its depth or hampers its pacing.

Collider’s review highlighted this divide, describing the film as an unusual mix of tones. Critic Gabrielle Moss characterized it as “an awkward marriage” between popcorn flicks and sci-fi epics, a sentiment echoed across multiple reviews.

However, not all feedback has been negative. ScreenRant provided a more lenient perspective, acknowledging that while the story isn’t groundbreaking, it still possesses genuine value in its execution. Reviewer Jordan William referred to it as “an entertaining, visually stunning ride with a refreshing focus on hope,” praising Scott’s visual artistry as a redeeming feature despite the script’s shortcomings.

This tension between “gorgeous but hollow” and “slow but sincere” appears to be a common theme in most reviews. Several critics have specifically commended Jacob Elordi’s portrayal of Hig, even if they weren’t fully convinced by the film overall, suggesting that the young actor’s performance might be the one aspect that resonates with audiences.

Elordi leads a star-studded ensemble cast that Scott typically assembles for his ambitious projects. Josh Brolin portrays Bangley, the gruff ex-Marine reluctantly teaming up with Hig, while Margaret Qualley, Allison Janney, and Benedict Wong complete the supporting cast in a story exploring what remains of humanity after most of it has vanished.

The plot kicks off when a mysterious radio transmission interrupts Hig’s aging Cessna, suggesting that survivors—and perhaps a semblance of normalcy—exist beyond his tightly controlled perimeter. This signal propels him beyond the safety of his homestead and into a world he has spent years avoiding.

This premise has become a staple in the genre since ‘The Road’ and ‘The Last of Us’ redefined post-apocalyptic storytelling on screen. Whether ‘The Dog Stars’ manages to stand out in this crowded landscape or simply fades into it is precisely what critics are currently debating.

Scott himself has expressed a personal connection to this project in the lead-up to its release, describing it as one of the more significant films he’s made in recent years. Such confidence from a director of his caliber tends to elevate expectations, which may explain why the mixed reviews have come as a surprise.

‘The Dog Stars’ is set to hit theaters on August 28, allowing audiences to determine for themselves whether this film is an underrated gem overshadowed by harsh critiques or if the critics have accurately assessed it.

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