Ridley Scott’s ‘The Dog Stars’: First Reactions

Ridley Scott is back! The visionary filmmaker’s latest feature The Dog Stars hits theaters globally on Aug. 28. and early social media reaction suggests the post-apocalyptic sci-fi film has plenty of Scott’s visual flair but feelings were mixed over the script.

The Dog Stars held its world premiere in London on Aug. 20 and 20th Century Studios held a series of press screenings for the film over the last week. Attendees were allowed to post brief reactions on social media after screenings. Full critics reviews for the film are embargoed till Aug. 25. Related Stories Movies 'Possession' Remake With Callum Turner, Margaret Qualley Sets Summer 2027 Release Movies Danny Boyle's Rupert Murdoch Movie 'Ink' Sets December Theatrical Release From Netflix

The feature has an all-star cast, including Jacob Elordi , Josh Brolin , Margaret Qualley , Alison Janney , Guy Pearce and Benedict Wong and is based on the 2012 novel by Peter Heller. The Dog Stars is set in a time after a flu pandemic has wiped out most of humanity and tells the story of a former civlian pilot named Hig (Elordi) and his ex-Marine companion Bangley (Brolin) as they try to survive the dangers of a fallen world.

Scott directed the film from a script by Mark L. Smith ( Vacancy, The Revenant, Overlord, The Midnight Sky, The Boys in the Boat and Twisters ).

The Dog Stars is the prolific Scott’s next film after 2024’s Gladiator II , and also follows Napoleon (2023), House of Gucci (2021) and The Last Duel (2021) as the 88-year-old British auteur’s other films in the 2020s. He is next scheduled to helm Treasure Island from a script by Adolescence co-creator Jack Thorne, with Hugh Jackman starring in the feature based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s work.