I saw Heart of the Beast (2026) in the theatre.
It stars Brad Pitt and an amazing dog called Odin, portrayed by a canine actor named Uber.
It’s worth seeing.
While the movie is set in Alaska, it was filmed on location across the remote South Island of New Zealand (primarily around Queenstown and Glenorchy). The crew flew via helicopter into untouched, glacial mountainous areas and dense forests that had never been captured on film before. Because they were shooting in actual wilderness, the crew had to physically haul heavy camera equipment through steep ravines and over hills in volatile weather.
Pitt actually swam in an isolated, freezing alpine lake that the crew could only access by helicopter.
HOWEVER, the wildlife attacks were entirely digital. They didn’t look realistic to me.
Reviewers like Mark Kermode noted that while the survival script format hits familiar narrative beats, the physical set pieces and the incredible performance of the dogs playing Odin make it a captivating watch. Crucially for sensitive viewers, reviews confirm early on that the dog does not die in the film.
Brad Pitt? … I’d better not say. 😀
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
