Movie review: Brad pitt, canine bond carries 'Heart of the Beast'
Brad Pitt plays a retired Special Forces veteran whose heart attack leaves him and his combat dog fighting wildlife and weather on a 50-mile trek.
- Heart of the Beast, a Paramount Pictures release directed by David Ayer, hits theaters Friday, September 25, 2026. Brad Pitt stars as a retired Special Forces veteran navigating a harrowing wilderness survival journey with his combat dog, Odin.
- Retired Green Beret James Belmont, played by Pitt, lives a quiet life with Odin, his German Shepherd combat dog. Both suffer from PTSD-induced nightmares, which they console each other through during their Alaskan camping trip.
- A mid-air heart attack forces James and Odin to hike 58 miles through the Alaskan wilderness after their Cessna crashes into a lake. They face treacherous terrain, a grizzly bear, and a pack of wolves while battling injuries.
- Emotional resonance anchors the film, with Pitt delivering a visceral performance alongside his canine co-star. Real-life German Shepherd Uber portrays Odin, receiving praise for his soulful portrayal and subdued, physically resilient acting.
- With a 101-minute runtime, critics view this survival drama as an effectively thrilling, if predictable, adventure. Despite digital effects criticism for animals, the film captures a poignant connection positioning it as a respectable genre entry.
19 Articles
19 Articles
‘Heart of the Beast’ Review: Brad Pitt Is a Veteran Stranded With His Combat Dog in David Ayer’s Stirringly Crafted Survival-in-the-Wild Saga
In spirit it's not far removed from an old Disney movie, but Pitt gives a true performance, and so does the canine actor playing his trusty companion.
‘Heart Of The Beast’ Review: Brad Pitt Is A Hyper-Prepared Veteran With An Adorable Canine Co-Star In David Ayer’s Survivalist Drama
The sounds of war permeate the tent where retired Special Forces officer James Belmont (Brad Pitt) sleeps while on a trip in Alaska. The auditory chaos conveys a gruesome PTSD-induced nightmare. Yet, the one reliving the horrors is not the man, but his canine companion, Odin, a combat German Shepherd with plenty of battle scars of his own. For a short-lived moment, the narrative takes the animal’s perspective, introducing an unexpected element i…
Heart of the Beast Review: Brad Pitt and His Combat Dog Go Ruffin' It in This Deeply Moving Wilderness Survival Drama
Heart of the Beast is a gripping wilderness survival film that will work especially well on dog lovers and those who like to see Brad Pitt get beaten up.
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