The Dog Stars is described as a "riveting, epic thriller" set in a world where survival is instinct, but humanity is a choice. The film tells the story of Hig (Jacob Elordi), a young pilot who, together with a military survivalist, Bangley (Josh Brolin), has carved out an efficient but isolated homestead in a brutal post-apocalyptic world.
When Hig receives a mysterious radio transmission, he ventures into the unknown in search of the hope and humanity he still believes exist.
The review embargo for The Dog Stars lifted overnight. As we first revealed on SFFGazette.com, while it's not Sir Ridley Scott's worst-reviewed movie, it currently ranks among the filmmaker's worst-rated features.
With 66 verdicts counted, The Dog Stars has a "Rotten" 39% on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer. That places it above only A Good Year (26%), Exodus: Gods and Kings (29%), 1492: Conquest of Paradise (30%), Legend (33%), The Counselor (34%). It ties with Hannibal and Kingdom of Heaven, but sits beneath Robin Hood (43%).
While Scott has had many critical hits—Alien, The Martian, and Gladiator, for example—this early response to The Dog Stars doesn't bode well for its opening weekend prospects (whatever happens, Spider-Man: Brand New Day should comfortably remain at #1 for the fifth time in a row).
"It’s probably the best movie I’ve done since The Martian," Scott said of the movie in a recent interview. "This guy Jacob Elordi, who’s in it, is going to be a big star. He’s a farm lad from Australia, so he and I got on great. It touches the emotional possibilities – whatever happens, you need people. If the world ends, how do you deal with it?"
Critics clearly don't agree with that assessment, so it'll be down to moviegoers to decide whether The Dog Stars is worth checking out.
Based on Peter Heller's captivating bestseller, The Dog Stars features a critically acclaimed ensemble, including Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, Allison Janney, Benedict Wong, and Guy Pearce.
The screenplay is by Mark L. Smith, based on the novel by Peter Heller, and the producers are Ridley Scott, p.g.a., Michael Pruss, p.g.a., Mark L. Smith, and Cliff Roberts, p.g.a., with Lily Brooks-Dalton, Brandon Scott Smith, Peter Heller, and Aidan Elliott serving as executive producers.
The Dog Stars opens in theaters on August 28.