Early test screening reactions from spring 2026 have weighed on sentiment for Ridley Scott’s “The Dog Stars,” with multiple reports highlighting complaints that the post-apocalyptic drama feels tedious despite its strong cast (Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin) and source material. The film’s repeated delays—to a final August 28, 2026, theatrical release—have kept critic access limited, leaving Rotten Tomatoes scores dependent on upcoming press screenings and embargoed reviews. Traders note Scott’s mixed recent track record with big-budget genre fare and the challenges of sustaining tension in a virus-ravaged survival story, though the ensemble and visual scope could still drive respectable scores if marketing builds momentum in the final weeks.