Pitt and Odin make this survival drama land, even if it rarely surprises.
Verdict tier Recommended, most critics liked it, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
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Critic consensus
Critical reception for Heart of the Beast is largely positive, with most reviewers finding it an emotionally effective if narratively straightforward survival drama. The most consistent praise is directed at Brad Pitt's performance and the authentic bond between his character and the dog Odin, with several critics also highlighting the film's cinematography and visuals. The most common criticism is that the film lacks depth or originality, with reviewers noting it settles for familiar beats and sentimentality rather than exploring its psychological or thematic potential more ambitiously. A handful of critics found it satisfying precisely because of its unassuming simplicity, though few considered it a landmark of the genre.
7 not-rated reviews aren't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 15 critic reviews · may contain errors
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Top critic
Film review ·
That Heart of the Beast is as gripping as it is, and deeply moving, is due to Pitt. The star with his undeniable charm has embraced his age, and both the length of those years and the depth of his time spent with Odin — and the strength he derives from this — are etched on his face and reflect in his eyes.
Film review
It hits the expected beats satisfyingly and with earned emotion. You couldn't want much more from a one-man-and-his-dog survival tale. A very good movie about a very good boy.
Film review
As thrilling as it is moving, Heart of the Beast is David Ayer's love letter to dogs, servicemen, and the bond between man and animal. An unmissable masterpiece! Brad Pitt is a fabulous actor who gives a performance for the ages, while Uber as Odin is every bit as adorable as he is skilled.
Film review
Heart of the Beast may not be the most original survival film to hit the big screen, but it's certainly one of the more emotionally compelling entries into the genre in quite some time. Ayer and Pitt continue to work wonders together as they have crafted a passionately made story that provides plenty of entertainment value and reasons to grab the tissues as well.
Film review
David Ayer's Heart of the Beast sends Brad Pitt's Jim Belmont into the Alaskan wilderness with retired combat dog Odin. Its survival drama works best through their loyalty, dependence and refusal to abandon each other.
Film review
Heart of the Beast may occasionally wander off the trail and get caught in repetitive terrain, but its powerful performances, stunning visuals and deeply felt emotional bond ensure it always finds its way back home. Not every survival thriller leaves paw prints on your heart. This one does.
Film review
HEART OF THE BEAST is an engaging survival drama that benefits immensely from Brad Pitt's terrific performance, breathtaking visuals and the touching and novel characterization of the dog.
Film review
Heart Of The Beast may not tell a new story, but its old-fashioned storytelling makes these familiar elements work well enough for a heartfelt drama. The biggest reason it works is the relationship between the man and his dog, with genuine warmth in their bond without tipping into sappy territory.
Film review
Heart of the Beast isn't without heart. It simply never quite translates that heart into something more profound. The potential is evident, the bond is moving, but the emotional heartbeat never quite reaches the depth it promises.
Film review
Ayer aims for a soulful, sunlit humanism, but can't quite bring it to full spiritual bloom. The clean, curving camerawork, especially in the wider frames, lends a Disney-esque tameness to the action.
Film review
It's the intimate scale of "Heart of the Beast" that makes it work, and sink in. Fortunately, the film's late-act didacticism and overall earnest intentions don't undercut what's often exhilarating filmmaking around a strong lead performance. It reminds you that Pitt is still a movie star.
Film review
Brad Pitt brings quiet intensity to the role, but Odin emerges as the film's emotional hero. Heart of the Beast falls somewhere in between, with Brad Pitt leading this survival film, but it is his three-legged co-star Odin who quietly ends up stealing the show.
Film review
Even Heart of the Beast wilfully remains satisfied in being a simple tearjerker without exploring the depths of its psychological stake. But its simplicity is also curiously enticing, going back to the basics to cherish smaller moments over bigger joys.
Film review
Heart of the Beast is sentimental and surprisingly devoid of a grander purpose for such a major movie (which is, maybe, refreshing?), but it hits home with heart and conviction. And if you are a dog lover, it is sure to stay with you.
Film review
This is a terrific performance — and Brad Pitt is extremely good too. Because Uber, the dog who plays Odin, does one of the most affecting pieces of canine acting I've seen since the days of "Old Yeller" and "Lassie Come Home." The bond he shares with James emanates from the heart of both beasts, and that makes the film a journey stirring in its primacy.
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