Ridley Scott's return to sci-fi after nearly a decade was supposed to be a cinematic event. The Dog Stars, starring Jacob Elordi, hits theaters on August 28, and the buzz leading up to it was palpable. But now that reviews are in, the film is facing a harsh reality: it's one of the director's worst-reviewed movies ever.
On Rotten Tomatoes, The Dog Stars currently sits at a dismal 38% approval rating. That puts it in the same company as Scott's other misfires like Robin Hood (43%), Kingdom of Heaven (39%), and Hannibal (39%). It's a far cry from his sci-fi masterpieces—Alien (93%), The Martian (91%), and Blade Runner (89%)—which remain his highest-rated films on the site.
Based on Peter Heller's novel and adapted by Mark L. Smith, the post-apocalyptic thriller follows a pilot (Elordi) navigating a world ravaged by a pandemic. The cast is stacked: Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, Allison Janney, and Guy Pearce all join the ride. Visually, the film is a stunner, shot by Erik Messerschmidt, the Oscar-winning cinematographer known for his work with David Fincher. But critics agree that the script doesn't match the spectacle.
Collider's own review called it "an enjoyable but uneven film that knows what it wants to say but struggles with exactly how to say it." That sentiment echoes across other reviews, which praise the visuals and performances but criticize the storytelling. The film's 38% score is a clear signal that Scott's gamble on a big-budget, IMAX-ready sci-fi epic didn't fully pay off with critics.
Behind the scenes, the production was reportedly chaotic. Scott is known for his unconventional directing style—running multiple cameras simultaneously and "editing" in his head from a trailer. That approach nearly drove Brolin to quit on his first day, as he struggled to adapt to the fast-paced, improvisational method. It's a testament to Scott's reputation that actors still sign up, but it also explains why the final product can feel disjointed.
Despite the poor reviews, The Dog Stars could still find an audience. Older moviegoers, who grew up on Scott's classics, might be drawn to the big-screen experience. And with a reported budget of $110 million, the film needs to perform well at the box office to avoid being a financial flop. Early tracking suggests it might open modestly, but word-of-mouth could go either way.
For fans of Scott's sci-fi work, this is a tough pill to swallow. But it's worth noting that even his lesser films have found cult followings over time. Kingdom of Heaven was famously butchered in theaters but later redeemed with a director's cut. Could The Dog Stars suffer a similar fate? Only time will tell.
In the meantime, if you're curious about Scott's other ventures, check out our update on the next Alien film or what Elordi and Qualley said about working with Scott. And for more on the film's surprising impact, see how the book sales spiked after the movie was announced.
Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on The Dog Stars and all your entertainment news.
