Brad Pitt and David Ayer’s survival thriller Heart of the Beast has set a new Rotten Tomatoes milestone, pulling in a 96% critics’ score ahead of its theatrical debut on September 25, 2026. The film follows retired Special Forces operator James Belmont, played by Pitt, stranded in the remote Alaskan wilderness after a plane crash with only his military dog Odin for company.
Box Office Projections and Rotten Tomatoes Records
Meanwhile, the project breaks a 14-year personal best for director David Ayer, topping the 85% score earned by End of Watch. On the audience side, the film holds a 93% Popcornmeter score from over 1,000 verified ratings, outpacing the 92% viewer score for Ayer’s The Beekeeper. Early box office tracking projects a $15 million to $25 million opening weekend, landing in line with Ayer’s recent features like The Beekeeper ($16.5 million) and A Working Man ($15.5 million).
Critical Reception and Uber the German Shepherd
Reviewers have heavily praised the performance of Uber, the German Shepherd playing the canine companion Odin.
Cast, Crew, and Production History
Written by Cameron Alexander, the script for Heart of the Beast originally appeared on the 2017 Black List as one of the most-liked unproduced screenplays. David Ayer and Brad Pitt serve as producers on the project. Simmons and Anna Lambe. The September 25, 2026 release date places the survival drama into a competitive theatrical window alongside A24 releases Primetime and Forgotten Island. For Pitt, the film arrives on the heels of last year’s Formula 1 blockbuster, F1: The One, and precedes his upcoming projects including the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood sequel, The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth, and a reunion with director David Fincher.
Production Fact: Cameron Alexander’s screenplay for Heart of the Beast landed on the 2017 Black List before entering production under producers Brad Pitt and David Ayer.
Release date director cast and runtime details for Heart of the Beast
When is Heart of the Beast releasing in theaters?
The film is scheduled to release in theaters on September 25, 2026, with a runtime of 101 minutes.
Who directed Heart of the Beast?
David Ayer directed the survival thriller, marking his reunion with Brad Pitt twelve years after Fury.
Who plays the dog Odin in the movie?
A German Shepherd named Uber plays Odin, sharing lead billing alongside Brad Pitt as retired Special Forces operator James Belmont.
What is the runtime of the film?
The movie runs for 101 minutes.
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