Dangerous Animals – Movie Review (4/5)

DANGEROUS ANIMALS is a new horror thriller. It’s part serial killer story and part shark survival thriller. A brilliant combination. Especially paired with a stellar cast that is small but mighty. Read our full Dangerous Animal movie review here – and watch it in theaters now!

DANGEROUS ANIMALS is a brilliant horror thriller out in theaters now. The movie comes from genre director Sean Byrne, who never disappoints. With this one, we’re getting a serial killer story and a shark survival plot. What’s not to like?

I expected to be entertained by this one, but the characters (not least thanks to amazing casting) were what really got to me. This small cast works remarkably well, and if only the runtime had been a little shorter and the pace a tad tighter, I’d be one happy camper.

Ah, who am I kidding, I was still very happy watching it, but that would’ve made it even better. As in a top rating, which we only give out fairly rarely!

Continue reading our Dangerous Animal movie review below. Find it in theaters now!

Sharks, a serial killer, and a love story?!

Yes, with Dangerous Animals, we’re getting a crazy genre hybrid that gives us a shark survival plot, a serial killer story, and a real love story. Not forced or weird, but just sweet. Unfortunately, the timing could not have been worse for the lovebirds.

We meet the vagabond surfer Zephyr (Hassie Harrison), who has gone from the U.S. to Australia to finally be free of her past and just enjoy the waves. She wants for no one and nothing, which suits her lifestyle perfectly.

Or, it did, until an unexpected encounter that leads to a surprisingly (not least for her) romantic night. This happens with a local surfer, Moses (Josh Heuston), who turns out to be everything she never knew she always needed. A kind person with no ulterior motives.

Of course, for someone like Zephyr, this is terrifying, as she’s used to relying only on herself. So, she does the only smart thing (as she sees it), and avoids her feelings for him by escaping to the waves.

Big mistake. Huge.

This is where she’s abducted by the shark-obsessed serial killer, Bruce Tucker (Jai Courtney), who has been killing people undisturbed for far too long. He is emboldened and sees himself as an alpha predator.

A very dangerous animal.

A shark!

The perfect combination

With Dangerous Animals, we’re getting a serial killer who has found the perfect way to get rid of bodies: He feeds them to sharks! Actually, he doesn’t just feed them to sharks; He often kills them by feeding them to the sharks.

The real monster in Dangerous Animals is clearly the serial killer Bruce Tucker. Not the sharks. As someone who loves animals (all animals!), I am so happy to see sharks not be the villains of a horror thriller.

Unlike that terrible and downright awful mess, Into the Deep – find our review here >

Having Jai Courtney (Suicide Squad) as Bruce, the self-proclaimed alpha predator, is simply brilliant. He gives so much to this horror villain that I would love more movies about this character. Of course, it’s probably better not to go there… but damn, he’s good.

Or bad, as it were!

The same goes for Hassie Harrison (Yellowstone) as Zephyr. You completely buy into her persona as this free spirit who fears being caged more than anything. And someone who fights back, no matter how bad things look.

And also Josh Heuston (Dune: Prophecy) as Moses, the kind and good man, who fights for love. That might sound sappy to you, but in the context of a serial killer and shark survival story, I assure you, it is not.

He’s just a reminder (to men and women alike) that these guys exist as well!

Watch Dangerous Animals in Theaters now!

Sean Byrne is the director of Dangerous Animals, and ever since watching his 2009 feature film debut, The Loved Ones, I’ve known I’ll watch anything he makes. He never lets you down. This is only his third feature film following his second movie, The Devil’s Candy.

Hopefully, we won’t be waiting another ten years for his next movie. In most ways, he seems to be on top of his game with this one, so hopefully he’ll keep going. This is the first time he hasn’t written the screenplay, which came from newcomer Nick Lepard.

An intense and layered script with nuanced (well, to a point) horror characters. Would-be victims, you will root for, and a villain that is as entertaining as he is terrifying.

I just really enjoyed it and loved so many elements of it. Not least, all the core characters and the shark footage, and the focus. Dangerous Animals is an extraordinary treat for anyone who loves either serial killer movies or shark movies. If you love both, this is a winner!

Dangerous Animals is out in Theaters now – it premiered on June 6, 2025.

Details

Director: Sean Byrnes
Script: Nick Lepard
Cast: Jai Courtney, Hassie Harrison, Josh Heuston