Dangerous Animals (2025) - Film Review

      **Dangerous Animals, 2025**

      Directed by Sean Byrne,

      Starring Hassie Harrison, Jai Courtney, Josh Heuston, Ella Newton, Liam Greinke, Jon Quested, Giorgia Stawaruk, and Rob Carlton.

      **SYNOPSIS:**

      When Zephyr, a clever and free-spirited surfer, is kidnapped by a shark-obsessed serial killer and confined on his boat, she must devise a way to escape before he performs a ritualistic feeding to the sharks below. While the concept of a film featuring sharks (or any deadly creature) with a human as the real menace isn’t groundbreaking, director Sean Byrne has infused Dangerous Animals with artistic craftsmanship and subversive elements that elevate familiar material.

      Working with screenwriter Nick Lepard, this film fully embraces the chaotic setup of a psychotic serial killer—a misogynistic sociopath and shark-diving tour guide (a wildly unpredictable Jai Courtney, who oscillates between singing, dancing, and philosophizing about the food chain amidst his violent outbursts)—who lures couples onto his boat, murders unsuspecting men, and proceeds to torment women by lowering them into the ocean to feed them to sharks. The deranged killer also records these brutal acts on VHS for his own twisted satisfaction.

      This role allows Jai Courtney to showcase a wild side, which is a refreshing change considering much of his previous work has been relatively dry and forgettable. He sheds his action hero persona, presenting an Aussie Seth Rogen-like character with disheveled features. Though his filmography has been rocky, this might be the most compelling and charismatic performance he's ever delivered, raising hopes that he may move away from generic action roles, whether within well-known franchises or original content.

      Another unexpected aspect is how sympathetic and well-developed his victims are, adding depth to the repetitive cycle of near escapes and recaptures. However, Dangerous Animals does start to drag in its third act. There is potential for a tighter 75-minute film here, but that some scenes feel prolonged is forgivable because the corresponding chases, surprises, killings, detours, and battles between prey and predator are executed with dynamic intensity, thanks to cinematographer Shelley Farthing-Dawe, who excels at creating a false sense of security while capturing the chaos both on land and at sea. The characters’ lives feel precarious, enhanced by the effort put into their backstories.

      At the heart of this torment is the free-spirited van-dwelling tourist, Zephyr (Hassie Harrison), whose backstory is thoughtfully established alongside a brief, meaningful encounter with local surfer Moses (Josh Heuston). Nevertheless, Zephyr prefers to keep moving rather than get too close to anyone due to her personal baggage; she believes there is nothing for her on land, fueling her need to surf.

      Tragically, she crosses paths with the serial killer, who incapacitates and abducts her, bringing her aboard his boat where she is cuffed to a bed alongside other captives, including a terrified woman portrayed by Ella Newton. Meanwhile, Moses, resigned to being ghosted, finds it hard to believe Zephyr would abandon her van when he sees it has been towed.

      Having grown up in foster homes and rebellious environments, Zephyr is not one to be easily intimidated by this maniac. Resourceful and determined, she continues to fight even knowing no one is nearby to hear her screams. While she displays resilience, Zephyr is also savvy enough to navigate survival against both psychopaths and sharks, placed in parallel scenarios that might feel tiresome if not for the gripping filmmaking and electric performances.

      Perhaps unsurprisingly, the “dangerous animal” referenced in the title can be debated. At times, the film overemphasizes this point, with characters explicitly stating it for those who might not catch on. The romantic subplot between Zephyr and Moses, though generally effective, sometimes leads to eye-rolling, especially when he awkwardly brings up love and relationships at ill-timed moments.

      Yet, as Jai Courtney’s morally complex serial killer reminds us, he’s more of a horror enthusiast than a romantic, which fits since Sean Byrne shines in that genre. Nevertheless, the presence of genuine characters in Dangerous Animals significantly enhances its appeal. Viewers should tune in for Jai Courtney's madness and stay for Hassie Harrison's fierce and determined performance.

      **Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★**

      Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association, Critics Choice Association, and Online Film Critics Society. He is also the Reviews Editor at Flickering Myth. Check here for new reviews and follow my BlueSky or Letterboxd.