Heart of the Beast, David Ayer’s survival thriller, written by Cameron Alexander, centers on Brad Pitt as a Special Forces officer who’s stranded with his combat dog in the wilderness.
Grade: B
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Theatrical release poster
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Retired Special Forces Command Sergeant Major James Belmont and his combat dog Odin land their plane on a remote Alaskan lake; both suffer from PTSD and nightmares.
There is only one other character in the narrative, Watkins (played by Oscar winner J. K. Simmons), an outgoing stranger that Belmont encounters in the forest. The next morning, Watkins departs, leaving Belmont a book in exchange for a beer he had taken overnight.
Belmont and Odin pack up and depart by plane, but Belmont suffers a heart attack mid-flight and crashes into the water; Odin is ejected during the crash. Belmont finds Odin nearby, weak but alive, and returns to the wreckage to salvage his gear.
When Odin’s condition improves, the pair hike back to civilization, which is about 56 miles away. During their trek, they are confronted by a grizzly bear, which Odin faces until it retreats.
When they later reach a precarious wooden bridge, Belmont slips and Odin has to be swung to safety. Belmont, however, falls into the rapids below, wedging his arm between rocks and breaking it. Odin locates Belmont in the river and drags him to shore, then helps him reset the broken bone.
When they spot a pack of gray wolves attacking a moose calf, they retreat, but they are later ambushed by them.
Belmont fights off the attack using a spear and a knife, while Odin attacks the wolves. Bitten in the stomach and weakened, he is unable to continue.
Paramount Pictures’ actioner earned around $20 million domestically for the weekend from 3,400 American locations.
Paramount was encouraged by its $30.1 million international take, as strong reviews and word of mouth helped the overseas interest for a story that might have been assumed to be more appealing to American audiences.
Earning an A- CinemaScore from audiences, the $82 million-budgeted movie stands at an 87 score from Rotten Tomatoes reviewers.
Cast
Brad Pitt as James Belmont
J. K. Simmons as Watkins
Anna Lambe as Amber
Uber, Seeka, Ryker, and Hondo as Odin the Dog
Credits
Directed by David Ayer
Written by Cameron Alexander
Produced by David Ayer, Olivia Hamilton, Brad Pitt and others
Cinematography Mauro Fiore
Edited by Dody Dorn
Music by Jared Michael Fry
Distributed by Paramount
Release dates: Sept 16, 2026 (Franklin); Sept 25, 2026 (US)
Running time: 101 minutes
Budget: $82 million
