Ridley Scott's $110M sci-fi drama The Dog Stars opens to polarized reviews
Critics offered divided assessments of Ridley Scott's post-apocalyptic adaptation The Dog Stars as 20th Century Studios commenced the film's global theatrical rollout following an August 20 London premiere.
Critical reaction to Scott's 30th feature
Reviews for Ridley Scott's 30th feature film, The Dog Stars, diverged sharply upon the lifting of the press embargo on 25 August 2026. The $110 million production, distributed by 20th Century Studios under Disney, drew mixed reactions following its 20 August world premiere in London. Some reviewers characterized the post-apocalyptic drama as lethargic and derivative of previous survival fiction, noting familiar genre tropes in its depiction of an abandoned airstrip settlement. Other publications offered positive assessments, describing the feature as Scott's most soulful work since the 2015 release of The Martian. The film arrives following Scott's recent directorial projects, including Napoleon in 2023 and Gladiator II in 2024.
Adaptation of Peter Heller's novel
The screenplay, written by Mark L. Smith, adapts author Peter Heller's 2012 novel of the same name. Set primarily in 2035, roughly nine years after a virulent flu epidemic eliminates most of the global population, the narrative follows an introspective mechanic and pilot named Hig. Jacob Elordi stars in the lead role, having replaced Paul Mescal during pre-production. Hig resides in a converted hangar in Erie, Colorado, alongside his faithful dog Jasper and Bangley, a heavily armed military veteran played by Josh Brolin. While Bangley maintains aggressive defensive fortifications against encroaching marauders known as Reapers, Hig seeks contact with surrounding communities, including a Mennonite settlement led by Aaron, played by Benedict Wong.
Visual style and production design
Cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt captured the film's landscape vistas across locations in Italy's Alpine foothills as well as the Abruzzo and Lazio regions, which served as standing locations for the Colorado wilderness. Composer Harry Gregson-Williams contributed a folk-textured musical score to accompany the visual palette of overgrown plains and mountain ranges. The narrative pivots when Hig repairs a yellow Cessna aircraft and departs Colorado in search of a faint radio transmission originating near Grand Junction. Following a crash landing, Hig encounters a surviving father and daughter, portrayed by Guy Pearce and Margaret Qualley, altering the isolated rhythm of his survival routine.
- Peter Heller publishes the post-apocalyptic novel The Dog Stars
- Original planned theatrical release date before Disney postponed the film
- World premiere screening takes place in London
- Review embargo lifts across international film publications
- Theatrical screenings begin in select international markets including Ireland
- Wide global theatrical release commences under 20th Century Studios
Release strategy and studio scheduling
The theatrical debut follows an adjusted release window from Disney, which postponed the premiere from its initial target at the end of March 2026 to late August. The film opens in select international cinemas on 26 August 2026 before expanding to wide global release on 28 August 2026. The cast also features Allison Janney and Sai Bennett, with Bennett appearing in flashback sequences as Hig's late wife Melissa. Following the rollout of The Dog Stars, Scott is scheduled to direct Treasure Island, adapted by screenwriter Jack Thorne and starring Hugh Jackman.
