Heart of the Beast

By now, you’ve probably seen the promotions for Brad Pitt’s new movie, Heart of the Beast. And if you’re anything like me, you have one question: Is the dog okay? Let me put your mind at ease—he survives. That doesn’t mean the movie won’t put you through the emotional wringer, though. Pitt and director David Ayer deliver a powerful story about companionship, survival, and the bond between a man and his dog.

James Belmont (Pitt) is a military veteran exploring the Alaskan wilderness with his former combat dog, Odin. Traveling by plane, James enjoys the peace and quiet. He occasionally crosses paths with another solitary traveler, but mostly, it’s just him, Odin, and nature. Both carry the effects of PTSD, and the wilderness offers some relief. That peace doesn’t last long.

While flying to their next campsite, James suffers a medical episode and loses control of the plane, crashing into a lake. After getting his bearings and finding Odin, he takes stock of their situation. Civilization is 52 miles away, with a whole lot of unforgiving wilderness standing between them and safety. They make some progress at first, but their luck soon turns, and every new obstacle makes the journey more difficult. Through it all, James and Odin look out for each other. Getting home means getting there together.

Written by Cameron Alexander, Heart of the Beast is a moving examination of trust and loyalty that will hit especially hard for anyone who loves an animal. Survival here is measured less in miles than in whether James and Odin can make it through another night. Alexander and Ayer also make it clear that leaving the battlefield doesn’t mean leaving the war behind. Even in the quiet of Alaska, its horrors linger. Add the psychological toll of PTSD to the physical demands of the wilderness, and you feel just how much these two are carrying.

James is visibly worn down, both physically and emotionally, which makes every challenge feel that much harder. If you’ve ever had a close bond with a pet, watching him struggle to keep himself and Odin alive will get to you. The quiet moments give their relationship depth, while the more demanding survival sequences give the film its momentum.

As for the cast, this is mostly a one-man/one-dog show, and both are terrific. Pitt gives a compelling, understated performance as a weathered veteran who finds comfort in solitude and a simple routine. He lets us see James’s vulnerability without overplaying it, making the character’s determination all the more affecting.

Odin, though, is the standout. His bond with James is the emotional core of the movie, and it feels authentic. You believe in the trust between them, which makes their moments of danger difficult to watch and their moments of affection even more rewarding.

Heart of the Beast can be intense and unsettling, but there’s warmth running through it, too. The gorgeous cinematography captures the beauty of the wilderness, even as the story reminds us how brutal it can be. What stayed with me most, though, was James and Odin’s devotion to each other. That relationship gives the film its heart—and gives us plenty of reasons to root for them both.

Brian Taylor

Member of the North Texas Film Critics Association, and lover of all things Cinema