Dangerous Animals Review: A Shark Thriller That Bites Deeper Than Anticipated
Dangerous Animals presents a concept that resembles something out of a comic book nightmare: Jai Courtney portrays a serial killer who employs sharks to carry out his sinister plans. It’s the type of outrageous premise one might expect from a cheesy late-night TV feature or a parody skit. However, with a clever script by Nick Lepard and stylish direction from Sean Byrne, this film transforms that preposterous notion into a terrifying and unexpectedly intelligent horror tale.
Initially, Dangerous Animals might appear to fit in with other shark-themed thrillers — ranging from the legendary Jaws to the sci-fi gore fest of Deep Blue Sea, or the more realistic fright of The Shallows and 47 Meters Down. Then there’s the ridiculousness of The Meg and the Sharknado series, which embrace their absurdity. Yet, Byrne’s film soon demonstrates it’s not merely another creature flick. The sharks serve as a red herring — the genuine horror stems from elsewhere.
A Serial Killer Tale Veiled as a Shark Movie
Instead of concentrating on the sharks, Dangerous Animals employs them as a device — a frightening extension of its real monster: Tucker, portrayed with savage magnetism by Jai Courtney. Tucker is a sunburned Australian who conducts shark diving tours along the Gold Coast. On the surface, he appears to be a charming, rugged guide. Yet, the film quickly unveils his malevolent nature. In the opening scene, we discover that Tucker doesn’t solely feed fish to the sharks — he feeds them humans, particularly young women, in a ritualistic and deeply unsettling manner.
This scenario epitomizes Sean Byrne’s style. The Australian director is recognized for delving into the darkest aspects of human behavior. His debut, The Loved Ones (2009), chronicled a twisted teenage girl with a penchant for torture, while 2015’s The Devil’s Candy merged heavy metal with demonic possession and family danger. Dangerous Animals continues this legacy, combining visceral horror with psychological insight. It’s harsh, stylish, and unrelentingly intense.
Jai Courtney Unleashed
Courtney, often seen in action-heavy roles like A Good Day to Die Hard, Divergent, and Suicide Squad, has never tackled a character quite like this. As Tucker, he’s a force of nature — unpredictable, magnetic, and chilling. There’s a joyous insanity in his performance, particularly when he shifts from a relaxed tour guide to a sadistic predator. He dances, delivers monologues, feeds individuals to sharks — all with a deranged smile.
This is Courtney at his most unrestrained and captivating. His depiction of Tucker is frightening not only due to the violence but also because of how effortlessly he conceals it beneath charm and assurance. It’s a performance that feels both larger than life and disturbingly authentic.
A Duel of Intellect and Survival
Opposite Courtney is Hassie Harrison as Zephyr, a free-spirited surfer who falls prey to Tucker’s latest game. She’s not a helpless damsel, however. Harrison infuses grit and intellect into the role, establishing Zephyr as a formidable opponent in this lethal game of cat and mouse. Their chemistry is electrifying, with Zephyr’s growing suspicion and defiance clashing against Tucker’s increasingly erratic demeanor.
The film’s tension escalates consistently, with Byrne masterfully balancing moments of quiet unease with jarring episodes of violence. Cinematographer Shelley Farthing-Dawe captures the expansive, isolating allure of the sea, while editor Kasra Rassoulzadegan maintains a tight pace and high suspense. The shark scenes are visually impressive, but it’s the human horror that truly endures.
A Horror Film with a Message
Beneath its gory exterior, Dangerous Animals serves as a sharp critique of toxic masculinity. Tucker perceives himself as a predator, aligning with sharks because he feels weak in the presence of strong women like Zephyr. His lengthy tirades about nature and dominance resonate with the kind of pseudo-intellectual bravado found in certain corners of the internet. He’s more than just a killer — he’s a man attempting to rationalize his violence through distorted logic and outdated gender norms.
The film confronts these themes head-on. In fact, it embraces them, using Tucker’s rituals and philosophy to probe the psychology of misogyny. There are even undertones of powerlessness and insecurity, echoing films like Luis Buñuel’s The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz, where the protagonist fantasizes about murder yet never executes it directly. Similarly, Tucker allows the sharks to carry out the killings — a chilling metaphor for indirect violence and the façades predators wear.
Final Verdict: A Clever, Brutal Thriller
Dangerous Animals transcends being merely a horror film featuring sharks — it’s a razor-sharp thriller that intertwines genre excitement with psychological complexity. Jai Courtney delivers a career-best performance, and Sean Byrne demonstrates