Ridley Scott’s new dystopian thriller, The Dog Stars, launched nationwide on August 28, 2026, but has received mixed critical reactions despite its strong cast. The film stars Jacob Elordi as Hig, a pilot navigating a post-apocalyptic world alongside survivalist Bangley, played by Josh Brolin. Margaret Qualley appears as Cima, Hig’s girlfriend and a medic, while Guy Pearce takes on the role of Cima’s father and former Navy SEAL. The R-rated movie is adapted from Peter Heller’s bestselling 2012 novel and also features performances by Allison Janney and Benedict Wong.

Critics have been largely unfavorable toward The Dog Stars, as evidenced by its 40% "rotten" rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 122 reviews. Some reviewers, including Helen O’Hara of Empire Magazine and Soren Andersen of the Seattle Times, criticized the movie for its familiar and uninspired approach to the post-apocalyptic genre, describing it as clunky and boring. Others, such as John Wenzel of the Denver Post and Robert Daniels of Roger Ebert, felt it wasted its talented cast and lacked meaningful insight, settling instead for repetitive action sequences.

On the other hand, a subset of critics found merit in the film’s character development and performances. Tim Grierson from Screen International applauded Ridley Scott’s focus on his characters’ emotional depth and shared grief, suggesting these moments lift the film beyond typical genre fare. David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter also praised Jacob Elordi’s introspective leading performance and Erik Messerschmidt’s cinematography, which lent the story a calming, restorative atmosphere despite its unhurried pace.

Some reviewers, including Simon Crook of Time Out and Nick Schager of The Daily Beast, offered balanced opinions recognizing the film’s subtle and sensitive moments but noting thematic borrowings from established post-apocalyptic staples. The Dog Stars was adapted for the screen by Mark L. Smith and Christopher Wilkinson and is now available in theaters, though its reception suggests it may not fully meet expectations considering Ridley Scott’s reputation and the caliber of its cast.