The new survival drama connects its wilderness story to Psalm 23 and themes of courage, sacrifice, perseverance and love.
A survival story built around trust
Heart of the Beast, starring Brad Pitt and directed by David Ayer, opens nationwide Friday with a story centered on a former Special Forces officer and his retired combat dog fighting to survive after a plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness.
Paramount describes the film as a story of trust and the bond between Pitt’s character, James Belmont, and his dog, Odin. J.K. Simmons and Anna Lambe also star.
Faith shaped the film’s themes
A new featurette connects the story to Psalm 23, particularly the image of walking through “the valley of the shadow of death.” Ayer, who is Christian, has said his faith informed the film’s focus on endurance, sacrifice and redemption.
Ayer told The Christian Post that surrendering to something beyond oneself and having faith can help a person endure hardship. Paramount says the film opens in theaters Sept. 25.
Sources: Paramount; The Christian Post
