Ridley Scott’s post-apocalyptic thriller “The Dog Stars,” starring Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, and Josh Brolin, opens August 28 with no critic reviews available yet on Rotten Tomatoes. Scott has positioned the film as his strongest since “The Martian,” citing its survival-driven narrative adapted from Peter Heller’s novel, while trailers and CinemaCon footage have generated solid audience interest in the high-concept premise. Early test screening reactions, however, have been mixed, with some reports noting a tedious pace that could weigh on initial Tomatometer results. Strong ensemble casting and Scott’s track record provide upside, yet the compressed late-summer release window leaves little room for campaign adjustments once embargoed reviews arrive in the coming days.