Brad Pitt leads ‘Heart of the Beast’ survival thriller screening in Phuket

Brad Pitt’s survival thriller Heart of the Beast is currently screening in Phuket and carries a 13+ rating. Film journalist David Griffiths has awarded it 3.5 out of five stars.

Directed by David Ayer, the film follows former US Marine James Bellmont and his retired military dog, Odin. Both are dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder while travelling through remote parts of Alaska by seaplane.

Their quieter life changes when James suffers a medical emergency during a flight and crashes the plane into a lake in a remote area. Injured and isolated, James and Odin must fight to survive the conditions around them. J.K. Simmons appears as Watkins, one of the travellers they encounter.

In his review, Griffiths praises Pitt’s performance, noting that the actor appears in every scene and often conveys James’s emotions through facial expressions and glances rather than dialogue. He also highlights the atmosphere of the scenes shared by Pitt and the dogs playing Odin, as well as the action sequences depicting James’s struggle to stay alive.

Griffiths credits the filmmaking team for using real canine performers in most scenes instead of relying on computer-generated imagery. He says the decision strengthens the audience’s emotional connection with Odin, which is central to the film.

The review’s main criticism is that some of the survival scenes have a polished Hollywood quality. Griffiths contrasts them with the harsher tone of films such as The Revenant and The Grey, arguing that Heart of the Beast might have been stronger had it taken its survival elements further.

Despite that reservation, he says the film maintains suspense, with James and Odin repeatedly facing dangerous situations while the screenplay keeps the next turn uncertain. Griffiths concludes that the film will have particular emotional impact for viewers familiar with the bond between dogs and their owners.