The Dog Stars: First Reactions to Ridley Scott’s New Movie Are All Over the Place
Ridley Scott’s next feature, The Dog Stars, heads to theaters this weekend. Ahead of its big-screen debut, first reactions have begun to surface online. Some feel the movie handles its themes in a smart way, but others say the cast and Scott are stuck trying to elevate material that simply isn’t there.
Film on Tap’s Tom Chatalbash took to X to share his appreciation, praising the performances. He said, “Loved the way this one explores the importance of finding home in a world where it feels nearly impossible to do so.”
Film journalist Gavin Spoors echoed the sentiment, saying, “#TheDogStars took me by surprise. Ridley Scott has proven yet again that his finger is on the pulse when it comes to current themes.
On the other hand, Next Big Picture editor-in-chief Matt Neglia was disappointed with what the film had to offer. On X, he called the film a “a trite post-apocalyptic slog that would play well on Paramount+ but not so much in IMAX, regardless of how many scenic aerial sequences the film includes to try and convince us otherwise.”
What is The Dog Stars about?
The Dog Stars, which stars Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, and Guy Pearce, is an adaptation of the 2012 novel of the same name, written by author Peter Heller. It’s released by 20th Century Studios.
The story takes place on a post-apocalyptic Earth, where humanity has been ravaged by a flu pandemic. The film follows a group of survivors who brave the outdoors and forage for a better life in their collapsed society.
Ridley Scott revealed in 2024 that he would work on the project after his Bee Gees biopic was done. In the same interview, Scott also revealed these two projects— combined with Gladiator III—had left him little room for rest for the next three years. However, the biopic has since been pushed, and Scott’s next film will be the post-apocalyptic offering when it hits theaters later this week.
Source: Comingsoon.net