HEART OF THE BEAST

(director: Dave Ayer; screenwriter: Cameron Alexander; cinematographer: Mauro Fiore; editor: Dody Dorn; music: Jared Michael Fry; cast: Brad Pitt (James Belmont), J.K. Simmons (Watkins), Anna Lambe (Amber); Runtime: 101; MPAA Rating: PG-13; producers: Olivia Hamilton, Marty Bowen, David Ayer, Brad Pitt; A Paramount Picture; 2026)

“A feel-good nature survival story set in Alaska.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
 
A feel-good nature survival story set in Alaska (filmed in New Zealand), with sparse dialogue, a heavily cliched story, and only 3 characters. It has good visuals and a solid performance by its star Brad Pitt and the dog (portrayed by 4 different German shepherds). It’s directed by Dave Ayer (“The Beekeeper”/”The Tax Collector”) and written by Cameron Alexander.

The middle-aged former Special Forces Army sergeant major James Belmont (Brad Pitt) is on vacation with his retired three-legged loyal scout combat dog Odin (Uber), when his Cessna seaplane crashes deep in the Alaskan wilderness. The pair bonded when he served during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and both are wounded from the war with PTSD.

The soldier camps out by a lake and meets the old-timer kayaker Watkins (J.K. Simmons), passing through the area, as he tries to get back to civilization and has to fight attacking bears and wolves, adjust to the marshes and overcome other obstacles.

We learn about Odin’s wartime trauma through flashbacks, but get to know little about Pitt’s character–but are reminded that he’d rather be with the dog than people.

A young woman named Amber (Anna Lambe) appears in the prologue.

I think dog lovers will be more likely to dig the film than others.

REVIEWED ON 9/26/2026  GRADE: C+
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