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Heart of the Beast

Heart of the Beast is an upcoming American survival thriller film directed by David Ayer and written by Cameron Alexander.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Heart of the Beast is an upcoming American survival thriller film directed by David Ayer and written by Cameron Alexander. Starring Brad Pitt as a former Special Forces officer stranded in the Alaskan wilderness with his retired combat dog, the film is scheduled for release in the United States on September 25, 2026.

Premise

The film follows James Belmont and his combat dog Odin after a catastrophic plane crash leaves them stranded in Alaska. The pair must survive harsh weather and dangerous wilderness conditions while trying to return to civilization.

Cast and crew

David Ayer directs the film from a screenplay by Cameron Alexander. Brad Pitt stars and also serves as a producer, with J.K. Simmons and Anna Lambe also listed among the cast in available listings.

Release

Heart of the Beast is scheduled for theatrical release in the United States by Paramount Pictures on September 25, 2026. Several entertainment listings and the film’s trailer materials report the same release date.

Key facts

  • Heart of the Beast is an upcoming survival thriller set in the Alaskan wilderness.
  • Brad Pitt stars as James Belmont, a former Special Forces officer, alongside his retired combat dog Odin.
  • David Ayer directs from a screenplay by Cameron Alexander.
  • Paramount Pictures will release the film in the United States on September 25, 2026.
  • The film focuses on the bond between a man and his dog as they struggle to survive.
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Canadian context

The film is primarily a U.S. release, but it may be of interest to Canadian audiences because it is widely covered in English-language entertainment media and may receive a Canadian theatrical release around the same period; confirmed Canada-specific release details were not provided in the available sources.

Frequently asked questions

What is Heart of the Beast about?
It is about a former Special Forces officer and his retired combat dog struggling to survive after a plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness.
Who directs Heart of the Beast?
David Ayer directs the film.
Who wrote Heart of the Beast?
The screenplay was written by Cameron Alexander.
Who stars in Heart of the Beast?
Brad Pitt stars as James Belmont; J.K. Simmons and Anna Lambe are also listed in cast information.
When will Heart of the Beast be released?
It is scheduled for release in U.S. theatres on September 25, 2026.
What genre is Heart of the Beast?
It is described as a survival thriller and adventure film.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_of_the_Beast
    Supports: Director, writer, cast, premise, and U.S. release date.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7526136/
    Supports: Premise and title year listing.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/heart_of_the_beast
    Supports: Theatrical release date.
  4. Deadline — https://deadline.com/2026/06/heart-of-the-beast-trailer-brad-pitt-paramount-1236953638/
    Supports: Trailer announcement, cast, screenplay credit, and release date.
  5. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFQcDFhNh4o
    Supports: Official trailer description and release date.