Ridley Scott’s latest film, The Dog Stars, has made headlines with its debut Rotten Tomatoes score of 42%, according to the critic aggregator, but the post-apocalyptic thriller, based on Peter Heller’s 2012 novel, features Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, and Margaret Qualley in key roles. As of now, the score is calculated from 36 to 50 reviews, with 42 of those being positive. This places the film among Scott’s most poorly received works on the platform.

Scott’s Lowest Scoring Films

The Dog Stars currently ranks as the second-worst-reviewed Ridley Scott film on Rotten Tomatoes. Only Kingdom of Heaven (39%) has a lower score. Critics have described the film as a misfire, with some calling it one of Scott’s worst misfires. RogerEbert.com’s Robert Daniels criticized the effort, saying it “probably takes more effort to make a boring post-apocalyptic survivalist action film than to make a good one.”

The film’s score could potentially drop further as more reviews are published. This would put it even lower than Kingdom of Heaven, though no definitive indication of that has emerged yet. Scott’s recent directorial output has shown mixed results, with films like Napoleon (58%) and House of Gucci (61%) receiving lukewarm responses. His most recent strong reviews were for Gladiator II (70%), though that film underperformed commercially, grossing around $460 million against a $250 million budget.

Reactions from Critics

Critics have expressed a range of opinions. ComingSoon gave the film a 5/10, noting that “The Dog Stars wants to be deeply emotional without giving its characters enough specificity to earn those emotions.” The AV Club’s Monica Castillo gave the film a D+, calling it one of Scott’s worst misfires. These mixed-to-negative reviews highlight the challenges of adapting a post-apocalyptic narrative for the big screen.

Despite the critical reception, some positive reviews have emerged, though they remain in the minority. The film is set to be released in theaters on August 28, 2026, according to 20th Century Studios. The production, written by Mark L. Smith, follows a civilian pilot handling a world ravaged by a pandemic and searching for hope in a better life.

Production and Expectations

Early in production, some cast members, including Josh Brolin, reportedly felt intimidated by Scott’s filmmaking process. However, as production progressed, the team rallied behind the director, and trailers showcased an intense, post-apocalyptic world. The film had been anticipated as another major hit for Scott, following recent successes like Gladiator II and House of Gucci.

With a 42% score, The Dog Stars is shaping up to be a polarizing film. Whether it will find an audience remains to be seen, as box office success often differs from critical reception. The film’s performance may depend on its ability to connect with viewers beyond what the critics have highlighted.