Early reactions to the survival thriller Heart of the Beast have arrived, and critics are sharing their thoughts on Pitt's daring adventure with his canine companion, Odin. Heart of the Beast shows Pitt's character surviving a plane crash and is a former special forces soldier as he finds himself trapped in the unforgiving Alaskan wilderness with his combat dog. Together, they battle the elements and other animals in a harsh landscape that would likely kill any other man or dog.
Luke Hearfield has shared his thoughts on the new movie and stated, "The day has arrived where I finally like, maybe even love, a David Ayer film. I am a wreck after watching HEART OF THE BEAST. A simple story but impeccably well executed. One man and his dog face the elements in this brutal tale of survival. Thrilling set pieces, luscious scenery and plenty of heart thanks to the wholly relatable connection between Pitt and his dog Odin. Pitt is great, but there’s some heart-tugging dog acting going on in this film.
I had a lump in my throat for the last 20 mins. If you’re a dog-lover, watch out. I was a mess by the end."
Editor Matt Neglia spoke of Pitt's thriller and shared that the true star is the dog, Odin. Neglia shared his thoughts on X and stated:
"HEART OF THE BEAST is the first David Ayer film I’ve tolerated since “Fury,” and wouldn’t you know it? They both happen to star Brad Pitt. But Pitt isn’t even really the star here. No, that title belongs to his canine co-star, Uber, who, along with some decent visual effects work, takes us through a grueling man-and-dog vs. nature survival story that’s quiet, rugged, at times moving, and yes, features a ton of American propaganda. Is it a bit eye-rolling? Sure. But it’s also more soulful than I anticipated, with a splendid score from Jared Michael Fry that matches the sweeping vastness of the Alaskan wilderness. Could’ve been a lot worse, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say it got me a bit choked up towards the end. Simple but effective for the Paramount+ crowd."
Everyone appeared to echo similar sentiments of love and respect to Pitt and his pooch. Film critic Courtney Howard stated, "Ran home to bear hug my dog after seeing David Ayer's #HeartOfTheBeast. It’s a harrowing, contemplative & heartrending film about trust, survival & loyalty. Circumstances are intense, but also hope-filled. Hats off to the 4 goodest pups playing Odin & the 1 & only Brad Pitt."
Creator Brandon Davis praised director David Ayer and his take on humanity and war with Heart of the Beast as another triumph for the filmmaker. Davis stated on X that, "Heart of the Beast sees David Ayer’s affinity for gritty depictions of humanity and war revived in strong fashion. Brad Pitt is great in an emotionally vicious story with intense moments where some might have cover their own eyes. The dog, real name Uber, deserves awards."
It appears that Heart of the Beast will have everyone reaching for tissues, and film critic Maggie in LA has echoed that very sentiment by saying, "As expected, walked out the theater with tears all over my face. I always cry during movies with animals, but this one hits hard. Brad Pitt’s "Heart of the Beast" honors the soldiers and military dogs that served at wars. They were brave companions that fight and survive together. It was a wonderful movie about survive, loyalty and friendship. Odin is such a tough but also cute pup has been through a lot in his life. A true hero. There isn’t much dialogue but both #BradPitt and the dog actors did wonderful jobs that will surely bring tears to your eyes."
Film Speak's critic Tom Chatalbash also praised Ayer and Pitt in the new thriller, but also brought it back to Odin, who makes "a wonderful on-screen pair." Chatalbash continued and stated:
"#HeartoftheBeast got me good, real good. This is a fiercely gripping and emotionally compelling tale of survival and companionship that thrills as much as it pulls on the heartstrings. Pitt and Odin the dog make for a wonderful on screen pair, always engaging and magnetic to watch, their tried and true bond felt in each and every frame. Ayer handsomely crafts this one behind the camera, giving the more propulsive sequences the visceral, stripped down pop they need, proving he’s got plenty of juice behind the camera that lends exceedingly well to mid-budget fare.
Pitt delivers a physically committed, nuanced, and understated performance that helps provide the bedrock here. It may lean a bit too conventional and predictable in terms of its storytelling, but as a dog owner myself I’d be lying if I said I didn’t let some ugly tears fly before the credits rolled."
Nathan Vance went as far as to call Heart of the Beast this year's most "unforgettable films." Vance shared his thoughts on X and said, "#HeartOfTheBeast is one of the year’s most sensational and unforgettable films. An emotional story of survival, unwavering loyalty, and perseverance, with breathtaking cinematography, this is a must-see for all dog lovers."
More to come...
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