appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Matt Glasby

4/5 stars
American writer-director David Ayer has built a career on tough-guy films featuring unlikely team-ups – from mismatched policemen Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke in Training Day (2001) to Will Smith and an orc in Bright (2017) to Jason Statham and some bees in The Beekeeper (2024).
However, Heart of the Beast, a soulful survival drama scripted by Cameron Alexander, represents Ayer’s best combination yet.
A grizzled Brad Pitt stars as retired special forces officer James Belmont, who flies into the Alaskan wilderness in his seaplane to hunt and fish, taking his best pal, Odin – played by an equally rugged German shepherd called Uber and several stunt pups – for company.
A former combat dog, Odin has a metal leg and titanium teeth from missions that went wrong. Belmont’s scars take a little longer to spot.


It is easy to see what draws them to the wilds. The scenery is absolutely stunning – from the bright, spreading glaciers to muddy, Mordor-like swamps, all handsomely shot by Mauro Fiore – and there is nobody around for miles. Well, almost nobody.
“There’s nothing like the quiet of nature; a whole world all to yourself,” notes a weathered old-timer played by JK Simmons, who briefly interrupts their idyll.
When the pair fly back to civilisation, however, Belmont suffers a heart attack at the controls. A terrifyingly realistic crash – mostly shot from inside the plane – sees Odin flung free, while Belmont is trapped in the wreckage at the bottom of a lake. Touchingly, as the plane goes down, Odin tries to protect his master, though much worse is to come for both of them.
What follows is a tale as old as Jack London’s The Call of the Wild – though Belmont prefers Cormac McCarthy’s The Road. Our injured heroes are forced to trek cross-country, facing inhospitable terrain, angry predators and PTSD flashbacks as they try to reach safety.


Crucially, Ayer has the confidence to build the sense of danger slowly, giving the audience plenty of time to witness the depths of their bond – and the beauty of the landscape – as the noose tightens inexorably around them.
While not as dramatic as The Grey or as ambitious as The Revenant, the film still features tense moments, such as a hair-raising canyon crossing and a fearsome nighttime encounter.
Along the way, Belmont requires various forms of assistance from his fiercely loyal four-legged friend – there is even a scene in which Odin helps him reset a bone. However, there are also some surprisingly lame CGI interlopers and a coda so syrupy sweet it might deter more cynical viewers.
A film as stark and simple as this stands or falls on the chemistry of its leads, and both deliver. Pitt is good, but Uber is the real star of the show. To remain unmoved by their obvious love would take a heart of stone.
Want more articles like this? Follow SCMP Film on Facebook


Loved Heart of the Beast? 10 of the best dog movies where the canine takes the lead

Meet Woody Harrelson’s wife, Laura Louie, who joined him at the Brothers premiere

Harvey Weinstein gets 15 years for sex assault after pleading for mercy

Meet Preston Cook, the husband of Julia Stiles, as she debuts on Dancing with the Stars

American cinema

Heart of the Beast review: Brad Pitt and his loyal combat dog brave the Alaskan wilderness

Brad Pitt as ex-special forces soldier James Belmont and Uber as ex-combat dog Odin in a still from Heart of the Beast (category IIA), directed by David Ayer. Photo: Paramount Pictures

(From left) Brad Pitt, Uber and J.K. Simmons in a still from Heart of the Beast. Photo: Paramount Pictures

Brad Pitt and Uber in a still from Heart of the Beast. Photo: Paramount Pictures

Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom movie review – Aardman’s hilarious horror spoof

A still from Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom (category I), directed by Steve Cox and Matthew Walker.

The Farmer in a still from Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom.

The Vet, Shaun and “The Beast” in a still from Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom.

Practical Magic 2 movie review: Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman reunite for dull sequel

Sandra Bullock in a still from Practical Magic 2, directed by Susanne Bier. Nicole Kidman co-stars.

Maisie Williams (left) and Joey King in a still from Practical Magic 2.

Nicole Kidman in a still from Practical Magic 2.

Venice 2026: Primetime movie review – Robert Pattinson catches predators in blunted satire

Robert Pattinson plays a fictional version of TV predator hunter Chris Hansen in a still from Primetime, directed by Lance Oppenheim. Merritt Wever and Skyler Gisondo co-star. Photo: Sinna Nasseri

Skyler Gisondo in a still from Primetime. Photo: A24

Tony Revolori (left) and Robert Pattinson in a still from Primetime. Photo: A24

Venice 2026: Wild Horse Nine movie review – Martin McDonagh returns with jet-black comedy

John Malkovich (left) and Sam Rockwell in a still from Wild Horse Nine, directed by Martin McDonagh. Steve Buscemi co-stars. Photo: Searchlight Pictures/Diego Araya Corvalan

(From left) Steve Buscemi, Sam Rockwell and John Malkovich in a still from Wild Horse Nine. Photo: Searchlight Pictures/Diego Araya Corvalan

Rockwell and Malkovich pictured on Easter Island in a still from Wild Horse Nine. Photo: Searchlight Pictures/Diego Araya Corvalan

Lifestyle

Entertainment

Culture

Film & TV

Brad Pitt is good but his canine companion is better in this story about an ex-soldier and his former combat dog’s battle to survive


Brad Pitt is good but his canine companion is better in this story about an ex-soldier and his former combat dog’s battle to survive.


Film reviews

Cinema

Fame and celebrity

Hollywood

What to do in Hong Kong

Brad Pitt

Pets

An assessment or critique of a service, product or creative endeavour.  Film reviews, restaurant reviews, reviews of art exhibitions. (Eg. Crazy Rich Asians: an important film, yes, but a good one?)


Review

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Brad Pitt is good but his canine companion is better in this story about an ex-soldier and his former combat dog’s battle to survive

Brad Pitt is good but his canine companion is better in this story about an ex-soldier and his former combat dog’s battle to survive