The dog stars rotten score currently stands at 40% on Rotten Tomatoes, placing Ridley Scott’s new post-apocalyptic thriller in mixed-to-negative territory with critics as the film begins its theatrical run in the United States. The movie, which stars Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley and Guy Pearce, opened nationwide on August 28, 2026, and early reviews have highlighted its striking cinematography and strong cast while questioning its pacing, screenplay and originality.
The Rotten Tomatoes response gives moviegoers an early indication of how critics have received Scott’s latest project. The film currently has a 40% Tomatometer score from 121 reviews, while the audience score remains in its early stage with fewer than 50 verified ratings. Because the audience sample is still small, the critic score provides the clearer snapshot of the film’s initial reception.
The result is notable because The Dog Stars comes from one of Hollywood’s most recognizable directors. Scott has spent decades moving between science fiction, historical drama, action and large-scale spectacle. His latest film takes a quieter approach at times, focusing heavily on survival, grief, companionship and the possibility of rebuilding human relationships after civilization collapses.
Yet the early critical response suggests that the movie has struggled to turn those ingredients into a consistently satisfying experience.
What Is The Dog Stars Rotten Tomatoes Score Right Now?
As of August 29, 2026, The Dog Stars has a 40% Tomatometer rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 121 critic reviews. The platform lists the movie as an R-rated adventure, mystery and thriller with a runtime of approximately 1 hour and 58 minutes.
That score places the film below the 60% threshold generally used by Rotten Tomatoes to classify a movie as fresh. In practical terms, the current rating means a majority of submitted critics have not given the film a positive overall review.
The score can still change as additional reviews arrive. The movie has only just entered its wide theatrical release, so its Rotten Tomatoes percentage should not be treated as a final historical rating yet.
For now, however, the 40% figure is an important part of the film’s opening-weekend conversation.
The current Rotten Tomatoes profile also identifies Ridley Scott as director, Mark L. Smith as screenwriter and 20th Century Studios as distributor. The film is based on Peter Heller’s 2012 novel of the same name.
Why The Rotten Tomatoes Score Is Mixed
The critical reaction to The Dog Stars is not completely negative. Several reviews have praised its visual presentation, performances and quieter emotional moments.
The biggest criticism centers on the screenplay and structure.
Some critics believe the movie struggles to balance its intimate character drama with its larger post-apocalyptic action sequences. The first portion spends significant time establishing Hig’s isolated existence, while later sections introduce more conventional threats and action.
That change in tone has divided reviewers.
The film begins with a strong emphasis on loneliness and routine. Hig lives in a devastated Colorado landscape with his dog Jasper and Bangley, a former military man who takes a highly defensive approach to survival. Their arrangement is functional but emotionally complicated.
Hig, however, remains interested in the possibility that other people are still out there.
A mysterious radio transmission eventually encourages him to leave the relative safety of his home base. His search leads him toward new survivors and changes the direction of his life.
That basic premise attracted some critics because it allows the movie to explore survival without making constant action the central focus.
Others found the slower approach frustrating.
Critics Praise the Film’s Visuals
One area where The Dog Stars has received more consistent recognition is its visual presentation.
Ridley Scott has built much of his career around creating distinctive cinematic worlds, and the latest film continues that tradition. The devastated landscapes, abandoned locations and aerial sequences provide the movie with a strong sense of scale.
Reviews have repeatedly acknowledged the cinematography as one of the production’s strengths.
The film was shot in Italy while portraying a post-pandemic Colorado setting. That production choice helped create a landscape that feels both familiar and removed from contemporary life.
The visual contrast is important to the story.
Hig’s world contains remnants of civilization, but nature has begun reclaiming areas once dominated by people. Empty roads, abandoned structures and isolated airfields reinforce the sense that the population has disappeared on a massive scale.
The imagery supports the film’s themes of memory and loss.
However, strong visuals have not been enough to overcome the screenplay concerns raised by several critics.
Jacob Elordi’s Performance Gets Attention
Jacob Elordi leads the movie as Hig, a pilot and mechanic attempting to survive after a devastating pandemic.
The role requires Elordi to carry many of the film’s quieter scenes. Hig is not presented as a traditional action hero. Instead, he is a grieving survivor who continues to search for evidence that life can mean more than simply staying alive.
Several reviews have recognized Elordi’s screen presence even when criticizing the overall film.
His character’s relationship with Jasper also provides an emotional foundation for the story. The dog is not simply a companion within the survival plot. Jasper represents Hig’s connection to his past and to the life he lost.
That relationship is particularly important because Hig’s wife is gone, leaving him with memories and fragments of his former life.
The film uses Jasper to keep those memories emotionally present.
For viewers searching the current the dog stars rotten reception, this is one of the clearest areas where the movie has generated positive observations despite its overall Tomatometer result.
Josh Brolin Brings a Different Kind of Survivor
Josh Brolin plays Bangley, a former military man who has developed a far more aggressive approach to survival.
His worldview clashes with Hig’s more hopeful instincts.
Bangley believes survival depends on preparation, suspicion and force. Hig remains more interested in communication and human connection.
That difference gives the film one of its central conflicts.
The two men need each other, but they do not share the same vision of what life should look like after civilization collapses.
Brolin’s performance adds toughness to the story, particularly during scenes involving threats around their isolated home.
The character also helps establish the film’s larger question: if society has collapsed, should survivors protect themselves at all costs, or should they risk everything to help other people?
The movie does not treat that question as a simple choice.
Margaret Qualley and Guy Pearce Expand the Story
Margaret Qualley plays Cima, a doctor who becomes important to Hig’s journey. Guy Pearce plays her father, Pops.
Their arrival expands the story beyond Hig and Bangley’s isolated existence.
Cima gives Hig another reason to think about the future rather than simply surviving the present. Her relationship with her father also introduces another emotional dimension to the film.
The performances have received attention from reviewers, although some critics believe the supporting characters do not receive enough development.
That criticism connects to the broader concerns surrounding the screenplay.
The film introduces several ideas and relationships within a relatively short runtime. At 118 minutes, it has to move between survival drama, action, romance and post-apocalyptic thriller elements.
Some critics felt that those components do not always blend smoothly.
The Film’s Story and Setting
The Dog Stars takes place after a devastating pandemic has destroyed much of human civilization.
Hig lives near Colorado with Bangley and Jasper. Their home provides protection, but the isolation also weighs heavily on Hig.
He continues flying his plane and searching the surrounding area.
The mysterious radio signal becomes a turning point.
Instead of remaining safely within the boundaries of his existing life, Hig decides to investigate the possibility of finding other survivors.
The journey introduces new dangers and relationships.
The story is therefore less about discovering how civilization ended and more about deciding what life should look like afterward.
That distinction separates the film from some traditional post-apocalyptic action movies.
The central question is not simply whether Hig can survive.
It is whether survival alone is enough.
Why Some Critics Found the Movie Too Familiar
A recurring criticism in reviews is that The Dog Stars does not offer enough new ideas to distinguish itself from other post-apocalyptic stories.
The genre has become crowded over the past several years. Audiences have seen stories involving abandoned cities, isolated survivors, dangerous groups and communities attempting to rebuild.
Because of that, a new movie needs a distinctive approach to stand out.
Some critics believe The Dog Stars has the ingredients for something different but does not always use them effectively.
The novel’s quieter and more reflective qualities attracted Ridley Scott, but the film adaptation adds action and conventional threats.
That creates a tonal divide.
The emotional sections focus on grief, memory and companionship. The action sequences move toward violence and survivalist conflict.
Some reviewers appreciated that contrast.
Others found it uneven.
The Los Angeles Times described the adaptation as familiar and argued that the movie borrows the premise and some character elements from Heller’s book while expanding the action considerably.
The Book Connection Matters
The Dog Stars is based on Peter Heller’s 2012 novel.
The book predates the COVID-19 pandemic by several years, but its story about a world devastated by disease has inevitably gained a different resonance in the post-COVID era.
Ridley Scott has emphasized the importance of preserving the emotional core of Heller’s story.
One particularly important element is Hig’s bond with Jasper.
Scott has also discussed the significance of the title and the connection between the characters, memory and the night sky.
The film therefore does not treat the dog as a disposable plot device.
Jasper represents a piece of Hig’s previous life.
That emotional connection helps explain why the animal is so important to the film despite not dominating the screen for its entire runtime.
How Reviews Compare With the Current Rotten Tomatoes Score
The 40% Rotten Tomatoes score provides a useful summary of the critical split.
Some reviewers see a visually impressive film with worthwhile performances and moments of genuine tenderness.
Others see an overextended and familiar post-apocalyptic story that does not fully capitalize on its premise.
The overall response can be summarized through several recurring themes:
| Area | Critical Reaction |
|---|---|
| Cinematography | Frequently praised |
| Performances | Generally viewed as a strength |
| Jacob Elordi | Recognized for his leading presence |
| Josh Brolin | Adds intensity to the survival story |
| Margaret Qualley | Praised in several reviews |
| Story | Often described as familiar |
| Pacing | Frequently criticized |
| Screenplay | One of the major concerns |
| Action | Mixed reaction |
| Emotional elements | Some critics found them effective |
| Originality | A common criticism |
The Rotten Tomatoes editorial team noted that early reviews praised the cinematography and cast while criticizing the film for wandering and failing to bring enough new material to the post-apocalyptic genre.
That assessment closely reflects the broader critical conversation.
What Roger Ebert’s Review Says
The latest review from RogerEbert.com is particularly negative.
Critic Robert Daniels argues that the film struggles to provide enough entertainment or thematic impact to justify its long stretches of melancholy. The review also criticizes the movie’s pacing and describes its post-apocalyptic world as lacking the impact expected from a Ridley Scott production.
That review helps explain why the Rotten Tomatoes score remains below the fresh threshold.
It also demonstrates the difference between recognizing technical filmmaking strengths and believing that a movie works as a complete experience.
A film can look impressive while still leaving critics dissatisfied with its story.
The Film Is Now Playing in U.S. Theaters
The Dog Stars officially opened in U.S. theaters on August 28, 2026.
20th Century Studios lists the movie as an R-rated thriller with Ridley Scott directing and Mark L. Smith writing the screenplay. The studio also lists Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, Guy Pearce, Benedict Wong and Allison Janney among the principal cast.
The movie is therefore available to American audiences on the big screen as the Rotten Tomatoes conversation continues to develop.
At present, the film’s theatrical release is the primary way for U.S. viewers to watch it.
Early streaming speculation should not be confused with confirmed availability. The current theatrical release is the verified distribution status.
Will the Rotten Tomatoes Score Change?
Yes, it can.
Rotten Tomatoes scores are dynamic. A film’s Tomatometer percentage can move as additional eligible reviews are added to the database.
Because The Dog Stars has just reached its wide release, the current 40% figure should be viewed as an early theatrical-era snapshot rather than a permanent final score.
The audience score may also become more meaningful as more verified viewers submit ratings.
That makes the next stage of the movie’s release important.
If audience reactions prove significantly more positive than those from professional critics, the gap between the Tomatometer and Popcornmeter could become an important part of the film’s reception.
For now, there are not enough verified audience ratings to draw a strong conclusion from the audience side of the platform.
Is The Dog Stars Worth Watching?
The answer depends heavily on what a viewer wants from a post-apocalyptic movie.
People looking for large-scale action may find the film slower and more character-focused than expected.
Viewers interested in survival drama, loneliness, grief and human connection may find more value in its quieter sections.
The film also offers the opportunity to see Ridley Scott working in a more intimate mode.
Rather than building the entire experience around spectacle, Scott spends substantial time with a small group of survivors and their emotional relationships.
That approach will not work for every audience.
The current Rotten Tomatoes score suggests that critics remain divided about whether the balance succeeds.
Still, the film has enough recognizable talent and visual ambition to generate substantial interest during its opening weekend.
The Bottom Line on The Dog Stars Rotten Tomatoes Reception
The current the dog stars rotten result is a 40% Tomatometer score from 121 reviews, making the film one of Ridley Scott’s more divisive recent releases among critics.
The response is not based on one single problem.
Critics have praised the movie’s cinematography, cast and emotional ambitions while repeatedly questioning its pacing, screenplay and familiarity. The film’s strongest material often comes from the relationships among Hig, Jasper, Bangley and Cima, while its more conventional action elements have generated a more mixed response.
The movie is now playing in U.S. theaters, giving audiences the opportunity to decide whether the critical response matches their own experience.
With its Rotten Tomatoes score still capable of changing as more reviews arrive, The Dog Stars remains a film worth watching closely throughout its theatrical run.
Have you seen The Dog Stars yet, and do you think its current Rotten Tomatoes score reflects the movie’s strengths and weaknesses? Share your thoughts and stay tuned for the latest verified updates.