Dangerous Animals Movie Review: Thrilling Sea Horror
- The new film "Dangerous Animals" combines the terror of sharks with the added suspense of a serial killer, creating a thriller that honors "Jaws" on its 50th anniversary.
- Courtney's character meets a formidable match in Hassie Harrison,who plays Zephyr,an American surfer living off the grid.
- Nick Lepard's screenplay offers nods to classic thrillers like "Point Break" and "Hannibal," creating a muscular and engaging narrative.
“Dangerous Animals” plunges viewers into a chilling sea horror, expertly blending the thrill of a shark thriller with the suspense of a serial killer, all while paying homage to “Jaws“. This gripping film, starring Jai Courtney as a menacing boat captain and Hassie Harrison as a resourceful surfer, crafts a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse on the high seas. director Sean Byrnes masterfully builds tension, using the vast Coral Sea as a menacing backdrop. The narrative, peppered with nods to classics like “Point Break,” keeps you on the edge as Zephyr battles for survival against the killer’s deadly habits.News Directory 3 knows a good thriller when it sees one.Will Zephyr outsmart her hunter? See what’s next in this wave of suspense.
‘Dangerous Animals’ Delivers Shark Thrills with a Serial Killer
The new film “Dangerous Animals” combines the terror of sharks with the added suspense of a serial killer, creating a thriller that honors “Jaws” on its 50th anniversary. The movie, directed by Sean Byrnes, stars Jai courtney as a boat captain who feeds his victims to sharks.
Courtney’s character meets a formidable match in Hassie Harrison,who plays Zephyr,an American surfer living off the grid. Zephyr’s resourcefulness makes her a challenging target for the killer, as she can even pick locks using her bikini underwire.
Nick Lepard’s screenplay offers nods to classic thrillers like “Point Break” and “Hannibal,” creating a muscular and engaging narrative. Lepard said he conceived the idea for “Dangerous Animals” after imagining a body inside a surfboard bag.
The film, shot on Queensland’s Gold Coast, builds suspense effectively, with scenes that are both crisp and avoid gratuitous exploitation. The dynamic between Zephyr and the serial killer unfolds like a deadly game of chess, as she fights to survive.
“Oh, you’re a fighter. I love fighters. It makes for a better show,”
The serial killer, played by courtney, sees a reflection of himself in Zephyr, telling her, “You’re hard as nails. Like me. You and me, we’re sharks.” Zephyr dismisses him, calling him “ocean scum.”
The film’s soundtrack adds a playful touch.Steve Wright’s “Evie (Part One)” plays as the killer creates mementos from his victims’ hair, while Etta James’ “At Last” accompanies the killer’s capture of Zephyr.
The setting, a boat in the Coral Sea, amplifies the terror, with the killer even using Vegemite as a weapon. Zephyr finds an unexpected ally in a young man, played by Josh Heuston, who becomes suspicious after her disappearance.
What’s next
“Dangerous Animals” is now playing in theaters. The film is rated R for strong, bloody violent content, grisly images, sexuality, language and brief drug use. Running time: 98 minutes.