Dangerous Animals

This is a great option if you have already went to the high budget movies this summer and need a Plan 'B.' You will be nicely surprised though, as this isn't a 'B' movie. I kept waiting for my review meter to drop, but it never happened. I also recommend for couples night, the mixed elements will please both sides.

This film has a classic horror feel with modern touches. Courtney, Harrison, and Heuston all delivered on their parts.

The limited dialogue was just right to keep you engaged. Shark action scenes were well done and didn't go over the top or leave you wanting more. A new couples sexy survival romance was intriguing. Zephyr as the gritty lead character is easy to root for and will continue to surprise. Tucker as the serial killer will keep you on the edge of your seat with his deranged/insane behavior.

I saw an early screening of Dangerous Animals without watching a trailer or knowing anything about it. When it started, it felt like it was going to be one of those super low-budget movies that feels so limited and never reaches the heights afforded by bigger budget movies. Luckily I was wrong.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie for the entire runtime. The horror/thriller elements are done well. You can feel the tension and savor the suspense. Several moments made my jaw drop.

I've been a Jai Courtney hater for a while after his roles in Terminator 5, Die Hard 5 and Suicide Squad. But I LOVE his performance in this movie. Not only is it the best acting I've seen from him, he is legitimately scary as this character.

Overall I had a great time with this movie and would recommend it to any genre fans. And it's more enjoyable the less you know going in.

(1 viewing, early screening 6/3/2025)

Australia's known for its deadly wildlife, but Dangerous Animals asks-what if the most dangerous predator was serial killer steve irwin? This sunlit survival horror follows Zephyr, an American surfer abducted by a shark-obsessed madman (a delightfully unhinged Jai Courtney) who feeds tourists to great whites as eco-reparations. It's a wild premise, but the relentless tension, grounded action, and unexpectedly emotional beats make it work. With beautiful real shark footage, clever set-ups and payoffs, and one of the gnarliest self-surgery scenes i've seen in a while, the film manages to be scary, ridiculous, and empowering all at once. A brutal, blood-soaked ride that somehow still finds time for a killer dance scene and a touch of heart.

I was not familiar with any of the 3 leads and found them all to be excellent. Hassie Harrison seems like a young slightly prettier Jennifer Lawrence and that is a huge compliment. Jai Courtney was terrific as the villain He delivered some great speeches and in one scene channeled his inner Buffalo Bill to great success. Josh Heuston was also new to me and he had great charm and elicited tons of empathy in his role. About 15 minutes in I was thinking, "OK, now what are they going to do with this setup." It seemed like it would be claustrophobic and limited with where it could go. Was I ever wrong. Kudos to Sean Byrne for a great script and solid direction that really kept he tension high. Most of you are going to see this when it lands on Shudder. I think it is not going to be as great as on a bigger screen for sure. I would have rated this higher, but an 8 and up film is somewhat exceptional. Comes very close, but I think I will have forgotten the film in a year or two and that kept my score a 7. Try to catch it at your theater if you can.

Dangerous Animals is a scrappy Australian horror-thriller that's pure fun, proving a tiny budget can deliver big thrills. This indie gem keeps you hooked with raw energy and a cast of unknowns who bring real heart, making you root for them. Clocking in at a tight 90 minutes, it's lean, mean, and never drags.

Smart pacing and a chilling atmosphere pull you right in. It shows what a small, passionate team can do, making Hollywood's bloated blockbusters look foolish.

Compare that to those $200 mill+ Hollywood flops packed with A-listers and CGI, lazy scripts, and overblown visuals that prioritize flash over story (yes, I'm looking at you, Jurassic World: Rebirth).

Dangerous Animals crafts a gripping experience with minimal resources. It's a thrilling reminder that you don't need big budgets to make something truly entertaining.