DANGEROUS ANIMALS (2025)

 

Directed By: Sean Byrne

Written By: Nick Lepard 

Cinematography: Shelley Farthing-Dawe

Editor: Kasra Rassoulzadegan

Cast: Jai Courtney, Hassie Harrison, Josh Heuston, Ella Newton, Liam Greinke, Rob Carlton

When Zephyr, a savvy and free-spirited surfer, is abducted by a shark-obsessed serial killer and held captive on his boat, she must figure out how to escape before he carries out a ritualistic feeding to the sharks below.

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From beginning to end, this is a quite glorious bee movie that has fun with its premise, but grounds itself with enough reality to keep the tension and thrills up

it’s main focus is on beast or the dangerous animals of the title here meant to be sharks, but also can be used for the films Central villain played with ecstatic energy by Jai Courtney, who is really becoming quite a notable character actor usually playing villains as over-the-top as he can yet charming after Hollywood try to make him more of a leading man and films, like TERMINATOR: GENYSIS and LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD (DIE HARD 5 that doesn’t even really feel like a true diehard film as much as a generic action film that includes the character John McLean) as for a while, it seemed like you could go either way when you saw him in a movie, but he has been putting in good work in character rules.

Thought this would be just one of too many shark movies that seem to come out every year then heard some buzz around the film that got my interest and put it on my to watch list figured I’d watch it eventually when came around to it. 

Then I found out Sean Byrne was the director. So then dropped everything and had to see it ASAP. he is not necessarily known the world over, but he is a genre director who never disappoints and always thrills with surprises no matter the topic or genre so one looks forward to any new project or presentation he has as after all this is his first film in 10 years. After THE LOVED ONES and THE DEVIL’S CANDY

here he doesn’t disappoint though on that same breath one say it’s not his strongest either then again even for a genre film there aren’t many places you can go with it so that it feels familiar. Even though the filmmaking and the cast truly sell the film and their characters. He manages to do so much with so little and still make it feel grand and full. 

unfortunately, there’s but so much all of them can do. though at least it stays entertaining and thrilling throughout so that it’s never boring and keeps you on the edge of your seat while it goes through the motions.

Jai Courtney‘s character though stays fascinating as he’s a villain but not your typical villain as truly he’s more of a serial killer who just has a long and drawn out method. when it comes to the ceremony of his killing and why, though he will drop someone literally at the drop of a hat if they get in his way though, they are seen More as collateral damage, even as victim. throughout the film, we are taking through the entire process.

Being that Mr. Courtney is the biggest name he comes across as the star. As he has the juiciest role and makes the most of it. Though Hassie Harrison gives a strong performance as the resourceful final girl. Who is as tough as she is beautiful? As well as Josh Houston who is supposed to be her knight in shining armor but ends up more being the damsel in distress in the third act. As well as most of the film.

As the title suggests or is a metaphor that some of the most dangerous animals can be human, though some only become predatory when provoked or out of survival.

Grade: B-