Ridley Scott has been a titan of science fiction for decades, delivering classics like Alien and Blade Runner. But his latest return to the genre, The Dog Stars, is off to a rocky start with critics. The film's Rotten Tomatoes score has landed at a meager 30% based on early reviews, placing it among the lowest-rated projects of his storied career.
Scott hasn't directed a sci-fi film since 2017's Alien: Covenant, and fans were eager to see him revisit the genre. His most recent feature, Gladiator II, hit theaters in late 2024 but struggled to recapture the magic of the original, partly due to the absence of Russell Crowe. The sequel also faced an uphill battle at the box office, failing to justify its massive $250 million budget. Now, all eyes are on The Dog Stars to see if it can break Scott's recent streak of underperformers.
The film boasts an impressive cast, led by Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin, with supporting turns from Margaret Qualley, Guy Pearce, and Benedict Wong. Despite the star power, critics have been divided. Collider's review called it "an awkward marriage" between crowd-pleasing blockbusters and high-concept sci-fi, giving it a 6/10. ScreenRant praised the "stunning visuals" but noted the pacing drags, while IGN went further, labeling the film "mediocre" and "baffling."
Set in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a deadly virus, The Dog Stars follows Hig (Elordi), a survivor who clings to his loyal dog while mourning the loss of his wife. The story is based on Peter Heller's novel of the same name, and interest in the source material has skyrocketed—book sales have surged over 300% ahead of the film's release. This mirrors a similar trend for The Whisper Man, a Netflix thriller based on Alex North's novel, which is also seeing a spike in purchases.
While the critical consensus may be lukewarm, Scott's track record suggests he shouldn't be counted out just yet. Some of his most beloved films, like Blade Runner, were initially panned before gaining cult status. Whether The Dog Stars will follow that path remains to be seen, but it's certainly generating conversation.
For those curious about the buzz, our coverage of the book sales surge offers more context. And if you're a fan of Scott's brand of sci-fi, you might also enjoy our list of supernatural thrillers that push the genre's boundaries.
The Dog Stars hits theaters worldwide this weekend. Whether it becomes a box office hit or another divisive entry in Scott's filmography, it's sure to spark debate among audiences and critics alike.
