Director Ridley Scott's new post-apocalyptic film The Dog Stars has received largely negative reviews from critics ahead of its global premiere on August 28, holding only a 40 percent approval rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.
The story follows Hig, a pilot searching for survival resources in his plane across a post-apocalyptic wasteland with the help of his neighbor Bangley and his dog Jasper. Actors Jacob Elordi and Margaret Qualley star in the feature.
Journalists reviewing the film criticized its slow narrative pacing, weak screenplay, and unexpressive post-apocalyptic atmosphere. Multiple reviewers also noted a distinct lack of onscreen chemistry between Elordi and Qualley.
Critical reception and reviews
Initial reviews highlighted widespread disappointment with the execution of the story. One critic remarked that the film featured solid acting and direction but was ultimately ruined by a very weak script, while another stated that the movie failed to offer an impressive plot or memorable characters to rise above disappointing mediocrity when compared to other post-apocalyptic releases.
A third writer noted ironically that it was reassuring to see a movie demonstrate that even after the apocalypse, people will still try to steal property. Other reviewers pointed out that the plot felt overly predictable, saying attempts to adapt it for the big screen fell flat despite their general fondness for the post-apocalyptic genre.
One critic commented that creating a boring post-apocalyptic action film takes more effort than making a good one, suggesting Scott must have worked overtime. Another reviewer observed that in a culture filled with television series like The Walking Dead, the storylines felt far too familiar, evoking little more than deja vu.
Positive elements and release details
Despite the general consensus, some reviewers found positive aspects in the picture, praising its stylistic resemblance to classic Westerns and highlighting a vivid horror sequence near the end of the film. However, even the most favorable reviews capped their scores at 6 or 7 out of 10.
Scott, the veteran director known for historical epic Gladiator, helmed the project as his latest feature. Rotten Tomatoes aggregates critical reviews to produce a single score reflecting overall recommendation levels.
The Dog Stars will premiere globally on August 28. The film is scheduled to reach theaters in Russia unofficially in September.
