Ridley Scott's 'The Dog Stars' Lands in 2026: Will This Sci-Fi Reboot Match 'The Martian's' Grit?
Ridley Scott is set to release his post-apocalyptic thriller, 'The Dog Stars,' via 20th Century Studios on August 28, 2026. The film draws from Peter Heller’s 2012 novel and is penned by Mark L. Smith. The premise details a world wiped clean by a virus, leaving survivors cornered by 'Reapers' while Hig (Jacob Elordi) and an ex-marine (Josh Brolin) cling to an abandoned Colorado airbase.
Opinions on Scott's sci-fi track record fracture. Some users, like Voroxpete, point to 'The Martian' as proof of his consistent skill in the genre. However, others tear down the potential material; Fleur_ dismissed the film quality as 'white bread' and accused the narrative of lacking genuine manufactured tension compared to 'Alien.' The core argument centers on whether Scott offers action or mere charisma.
The community is divided over the film's merit. Support centers on the high-stakes survival plot mechanics, while criticism focuses on perceived narrative weakness. The strongest immediate sentiment is skepticism regarding the film's actual dramatic weight versus its IP pedigree.
Key Points
Ridley Scott has a consistent knack for sci-fi.
Voroxpete cited 'The Martian' as evidence of his demonstrated talent.
The narrative structure is inherently weak.
Fleur_ argued the plot forces a protagonist who 'does everything and has to make no decisions,' suggesting low stakes.
The film's tension falls short of genre benchmarks.
Fleur_ explicitly compared the film unfavorably to 'Alien,' suggesting it lacks true manufactured tension.
The central plot involves a stranded pair facing cosmic threats.
ekZepp outlined the scenario: a virus wipes out humanity, leaving survivors facing 'Reapers' near an airbase.
High-concept IP deserves continued development.
krooklochurm praised the concept of 'Raised by Wolves' as 'pure gold' and called for more supplementary content.
Source Discussions (4)
This report was synthesized from the following Lemmy discussions, ranked by community score.