Must love dogs? Well, if you don’t by the end of “Heart of the Beast,” you may need some counseling. Stat.
Director David Ayer’s survival tale pairs Brad Pitt with the most soulful, expressive pup we’ve seen since 2025’s “Good Boy.”
Pitt more than holds his own, of course, but the spare storytelling allows for more than just a former Navy SEALs’ slick bag of tricks.
This bond matters, and it speaks to our greater need for companionship in the very worst of times.
Pitt stars as James, a military veteran taking a trip to Alaska with his retired canine pal, Odin. They’ve been through hell and back together, each with the scars to prove it.
Some can’t be seen on the surface.
The setting reminds us of “Apex,” the Charlize Theron thriller about a woman coming to grips with her husband’s sudden death. That film put the emphasis on thrills and gritty chase sequences.
Here, it’s the all-too-human hunger for healing.
James hopes to commune with nature and rebuild a life shattered by war. Except he suffers a heart incident mid-flight, and his plane crashes into Alaskan waters.
Now, it’s all about survival. Sure, James knows more than the average soul about that task, but he’ll have to face brutal conditions, dangerous wildlife and other life-threatening foes.
Good thing Odin is by his side.
J.K. Simmons has a cameo as a kindly stranger James meets along the way. Their exchanges are cordial but strained, a fine way for Ayer and company to show just how damaged James is.
Very damaged.
Otherwise, it’s just Pitt, Uber the dog and the audience. The film moves briskly despite the lack of subplots. The few war flashbacks prove effective, if a tad formulaic. They’re still potent enough to let us piece together James’ damaged soul.
One particular threat proves a tad too melodramatic, but otherwise “Beast” clings to a realistic tone. Pitt’s protagonist may be tougher than most, but the actor lets us witness his character’s age and deteriorating condition.
It’s a deeply physical performance and an impressive one, too.
Praising a canine actor doesn’t feel right, but Ayer’s camera catches Odin in ways that define his bond with James. It’s hard to describe, but dog lovers will “get” it from the very first scene.
Others will by the final frame.
“Beast” avoids cutesy pup moments, and at times the story’s dedication to the task at hand – no Hollywood razzle dazzle, just coping with the elements, requires patience. It’s well worth the effort, particularly during the final, gut-wrenching seconds.
Hope. Resilience. Love. Tragedy. And a dog you can’t help but love. This “Beast” has it all.
HiT or Miss: 4 out of 5 stars
Genre: Drama/Survival yarn
Runtime: 1 hour 41 minutes
Where to Watch: In theaters Sept. 25
Family Friendly? Teens and up. Some blood and violent confrontations. Mature themes. PG-13
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