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:**

      Zephyr, a clever and adventurous surfer, is kidnapped by a serial killer obsessed with sharks and confined to his boat. To survive, she must devise a plan to escape before he performs a ritualistic feeding for the sharks underneath.

      While the concept of a movie featuring sharks (or any bloodthirsty creature) with a human as the main threat isn't groundbreaking, Sean Byrne infuses Dangerous Animals with visually appealing craftsmanship and subversive elements to a familiar plot.

      Together with screenwriter Nick Lepard, the film revels in its chaotic setup featuring an Australian misogynistic sociopath, a shark-diving tour guide played by the wild and eccentric Jai Courtney. His character lures couples or groups onto his boat, where he kills the unsuspecting men and subsequently tortures the women by lowering them into the sea to feed the sharks. This deranged individual also records these gruesome acts on VHS for his disturbing enjoyment.

      Jai Courtney delivers a standout performance, showcasing a wild side that is refreshing compared to his typically dry and forgettable roles. Shedding his usual action hero persona, he resembles a disheveled Aussie Seth Rogen. While his filmography is uneven, this performance could mark a shift away from his usual portrayal of generic action heroes, be it in established franchises or original films.

      Another pleasant surprise is the depth and sympathy given to his victims, adding an extra layer to the nail-biting game of near escapes and recaptures. However, Dangerous Animals does begin to feel extended in its third act. There is certainly a more concise 75-minute film within it, but the drawn-out nature is somewhat justified due to the dynamic and intense chases, twists, kills, detours, and predator-prey battles, thanks to cinematographer Shelley Farthing-Dawe, who captures chaos on land and sea with skill. The characters feel significant, as effort is made to flesh out their backstories.

      At the heart of the terror is Zephyr (Hassie Harrison), a free-spirited van-dwelling traveler. The film takes the right amount of time to establish her character and a brief, meaningful encounter with local surfer Moses (Josh Heuston). However, Zephyr prefers to keep her distance and continue traveling rather than form attachments. She carries personal baggage, believing there's nothing for her on land, driving her passion to surf.

      Unfortunately, her bad luck brings her face-to-face with the aforementioned serial killer, who knocks her unconscious and kidnaps her, chaining her to a bed with other captives, including a frightened woman portrayed by Ella Newton. Meanwhile, Moses, believing he’s been ghosted, doesn't realize that Zephyr would leave her van behind after noticing it has been towed.

      Having grown up in foster homes with a rebellious streak, Zephyr is a fighter, determined not to be bullied by this psychopath. Resourceful and resilient, even when it’s clear no one can hear her cries for help, she remains defiant, embodying strength. Zephyr proves to be savvy when it comes to surviving against both psychopaths and sharks, facing a series of parallel situations that could have seemed tedious if not for the engaging filmmaking and electrifying performances.

      Perhaps predictably, the “dangerous animal” referenced in the title is open to interpretation, and at times the film pushes this point too far, with characters spelling it out for the audience. The romantic subplot between Zephyr and Moses mostly works but occasionally elicits eye rolls, especially when he tries to discuss love at an inopportune moment.

      Yet, as Jai Courtney’s morally twisted killer suggests, he has always preferred horror over romance—something that fits with Sean Byrne's strengths in that domain. Nevertheless, the well-developed characters in Dangerous Animals make the disturbing experience even more captivating. Audiences will be drawn in by Jai Courtney’s madness and stay for Hassie Harrison’s fierce and tenacious performance.

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

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