Director David Ayer traded city streets for the Alaskan wilderness on 25 September 2026 for Heart of the Beast, a survival thriller starring Brad Pitt as Special Forces officer James Belmont, whose plane crash leaves him stranded with only his retired combat dog, Odin, for company. Also starring J.K. Simmons and Anna Lambe.

Critics have warmed to the film's emotional core more than its plot mechanics: The Hollywood Reporter called it "one of the most moving [films] to come along in a long time... a love story between a man and his dog," while Original-Cin praised Pitt for a performance "simple in concept, but complex in portraying the extent of hardship Belmont experiences." Rolling Stone was cooler, dubbing it "hypermasculine cinema" for viewers who'd rather face down Mother Nature than their feelings. Across 30 reviews it's settled at 65 on Metacritic — solid rather than spectacular, carried by Pitt's performance and a scene-stealing dog.

A well-worn survival story elevated by Pitt at his most physical and a genuinely touching man-and-dog bond. Don't expect many surprises in the plot — go for Odin and the scenery instead.