The Dog Stars

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The Dog Stars

R

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1h 58m

Adventure

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

40%

Tomatometer

209 Reviews

70%

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1,000+ Verified Ratings

Ridley Scott's "The Dog Stars," is a riveting, epic thriller set in a world where survival is instinct, but humanity is a choice. Scott tells the story of Hig, a young pilot who, together with a military survivalist, Bangley, has carved out an efficient but isolated homestead in a brutal post-apocalyptic world until a mysterious radio transmission spurs Hig to venture into the unknown in search of the hope and humanity he still believes exists.

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Critics Consensus

A derivative and drowsy tour through the post-apocalypse, The Dog Stars' lush visuals can't compensate for its listless narrative and underpowered pacing.

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Audience Says

While its deliberate pace may not be everyone’s tempo, The Dog Stars undeniably shines thanks to the compelling performances of its lead cast.

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Joey Shapiro

Chicago Reader

2 days ago

The Dog Stars is Frankensteined together from the well-worn tropes of more memorable movies.

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Adam Nayman

The New Republic

Aug 31, 2026

For a movie set in a wasteland, The Dog Stars is cluttered with plot points and symbolic gimmicks; the pileup distracts from the fact that it isn’t really about anything at all.

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Jake Helm

The Times (UK)

Aug 31, 2026

3/5

You have to hand it to Scott: even at the end of the world, he knows how to put on a show.

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Steven Prokopy

Third Coast Review

2 hrs ago

1.5/4

...other than the Mennonites settlement and maybe Hig’s plane, I’m at a loss for what is to be gained by making this film or watching it.

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Anthony Marcusa

Mediaversity Reviews

21 hrs ago

D

Despite a cast of mainly gruff white men, The Dog Stars finds a way to pull in racial stereotypes.

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Shawn Edwards

Fox 4 Kansas City

1 day ago

2/5

An incoherent misfire.

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Janet T

1 hr ago

Good movie! Not as expected and didn’t like the ending

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Richard

17 hrs ago

I was expecting a little more action

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Veera

20 hrs ago

Grand junction scene was lost opportunity

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Heather

1 day ago

Fantastic! Connected and raw!

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Kenneth P

1 day ago

The movie poster makes it seem like this is a different movie than it actually is. It's really a drama movie which just so happens to take in a post apocalyptic world. That world is never really explored, this movie mainly revolves around characters.

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Henry

1 day ago

I felt like there was no plot to the movie. There was only dialogue and a little bit of action. It started getting interesting for a little bit and then it fell off.

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Ridley Scott

Director

Jacob Elordi

Hig

Josh Brolin

Bangley

Margaret Qualley

Cima

Allison Janney

Actor

Benedict Wong

Actor

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Synopsis

Ridley Scott's "The Dog Stars," is a riveting, epic thriller set in a world where survival is instinct, but humanity is a choice. Scott tells the story of Hig, a young pilot who, together with a military survivalist, Bangley, has carved out an efficient but isolated homestead in a brutal post-apocalyptic world until a mysterious radio transmission spurs Hig to venture into the unknown in search of the hope and humanity he still believes exists.

Director: Ridley Scott
Producer: Ridley Scott, Michael A. Pruss, Mark L. Smith, Cliff Roberts
Screenwriter: Mark L. Smith
Distributor: 20th Century Studios
Production Co: Scott Free Productions
Rating: R (Strong Violence|Language)
Genre: Adventure, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 28, 2026, Wide
Box Office (Gross USA): $13.8M
Runtime: 1h 58m
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos
Aspect Ratio: Digital 2.39:1

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