FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Director David Ayer shared how his Christian faith shaped the themes of sacrifice and redemption at the heart of his new film “Heart of the Beast" and reflected on how an orientation toward God can provide direction in a culture increasingly struggling to find meaning. “When you surrender to something outside of yourself, when you have faith, you can endure anything, really,” Ayer told The Christian Post.
The 58-year-old filmmaker, whose work frequently wrestles with brokenness, violence and redemption, said faith informed his approach to the story of James Belmont, a former U.S. Army Special Forces officer played by Brad Pitt who carries the emotional wounds of his military service into the wilderness alongside his retired combat dog, Odin. “I feel we’re lacking meaning right now in society,” Ayer said.
“And there’s a lot of confusing messaging, and a lot of things that traditionally have helped people live lives are kind of being deconstructed.” “If you’re oriented towards God, you’re always going to know the way in any given situation,” he continued. “Within Scripture, it’s very clear you will be forgiven when you fall if you ask.
All you have to do is ask.” This belief is woven throughout “Heart of the Beast,” Ayer said, particularly in James’ determination to keep moving despite grief, physical suffering and the weight of people he was unable to save, which viewers see through a series of flashbacks. The film, hitting theaters on Sept. 25, is rated PG-13 by the MPA for violence, peril, bloody/injury images and some language. The film, which also stars J.K.
Simmons, reunites Ayer with Pitt, whom he previously directed in the 2014 World War II drama “Fury.” In “Heart of the Beast,” James and Odin (played by Uber and his four pups) become stranded in the