From the distinctive mind of director Sean Byrne, acclaimed for his cult hits "The Loved Ones" and "The Devil's Candy," comes "Dangerous Animals" (2025), a chilling fusion of serial killer thriller and aquatic terror. Released in the U.S. on June 6, 2025, by IFC Films and Shudder, this survival horror from production companies like LD Entertainment and Brouhaha Entertainment promises a grim journey into the depths of human depravity. Written by Nick Lepard, the film stars a captivating Hassie Harrison as surfer Zephyr, Josh Heuston as the charming Moses, and a truly terrifying Jai Courtney as the central antagonist, Tucker. The plot ensnares Zephyr when she becomes the unwilling captive of Tucker, a shark-obsessed psychopath who ritualistically feeds backpackers to the ocean's apex predators, recording his gruesome acts on VHS. Her only hope is to escape his clutches before becoming the next offering to the deep.
Genre:Horror, Thriller
"Dangerous Animals" wastes no time in establishing its unsettling premise, whisking Zephyr from the seemingly idyllic Gold Coast to the claustrophobic confines of Tucker’s rusty boat, a "sun-soaked dream – okay, nightmare." The film quickly introduces us to Tucker (Jai Courtney), a "brawny bogan" and shark dive owner whose enthusiasm for marine life masks a deeply disturbed psyche. He lures unsuspecting backpackers and tourists into his gruesome game, first in a cage, then sedated and trapped, before lowering them into the water to meet his hungry "bull sharks, makos and great whites." The chilling detail of him recording these "ritualistic feedings" on an old VHS camera adds a perverse, almost retro nastiness to his modus operandi. Zephyr’s abduction, after a brief and "cheesy" budding romance with local softboi Moses (Josh Heuston), sets the stage for a brutal cat-and-mouse game where survival seems impossibly slim.
Sean Byrne’s directorial prowess is immediately evident, as he meticulously crafts an atmosphere of dread that permeates every frame. Unlike conventional shark movies that often anthropomorphize their aquatic threats, Byrne cleverly uses the sharks as a mere extension of Tucker’s psychopathy. They are dangerous animals, but the most dangerous animal on screen is undeniably Tucker himself. This approach allows the film to subvert the genre, blending the visceral body horror and psychological torment of a serial killer narrative with the primal fear of the ocean’s predators. The film is described as "efficient, clever genre mash-up that works because of how well Byrne blocks its action" and "a ferocious subversion of shark horror." Fans of Byrne's previous work, like "The Loved Ones," will recognize his knack for plunging characters into a "grim gauntlet of pain and suffering," forcing them to earn their survival.
The performances elevate the grim material, particularly Jai Courtney as Tucker. Courtney delivers a truly "rip-roaring force of nature" performance, making Tucker an "instantly memorable" villain for the ages. His ability to convey chilling sadism with unsettling charisma makes every one of his monologues about the "hierarchy of the ocean" disturbingly compelling. Hassie Harrison, as Zephyr, delivers a "star-making turn," portraying a "kickass heroine" with both vulnerability and a steely resolve. Her "savvy survivor" instincts are put to the ultimate test, and her struggle for freedom provides the film’s tense emotional core. While the brief romance with Moses is somewhat underdeveloped, the actors make their characters likable enough for the audience to genuinely root for their escape.
Despite its strengths, "Dangerous Animals" isn't without its criticisms. While moments of "visceral horror and gore" are praised—such as Zephyr finding a gruesome way out of her handcuffs—the film’s "hyperactive editing" and reliance on "obviously CGI" sharks at times undermine the terror. The "dingy prison" setting on Tucker’s boat, while reminiscent of "Saw," can feel confining and visually repetitive. Some critics have also pointed out that Tucker's "hatred of women" feels "passé" and unnecessary, as his animosity isn't clearly motivated beyond generic misogyny, despite his cruelty extending to male victims. The film’s pervasive grimness, while intentional, occasionally verges on nihilism, though Byrne is credited with walking "right up to the line of nihilism without ever losing a sense of humor or humanity."
In summary, "Dangerous Animals" (2025) is a bold and often brutal entry into the survival horror genre. Sean Byrne once again proves his mastery of unsettling narratives, crafting a film that is both a thrilling serial killer hunt and a clever subversion of the shark movie trope. With powerful performances from Jai Courtney and Hassie Harrison, and its unflinching commitment to its gruesome premise, it delivers a high-stakes thrill ride. While some of its stylistic choices and thematic elements might be debated, it’s undeniably a "must-see" for those seeking a unique and relentless cinematic experience that goes for the jugular and never lets go. This Australian horror gem, distributed by IFC Films and Shudder, is a ferocious and memorable addition to the 2025 film slate.