FILM REVIEW: Dangerous Animals (2025)

Dangerous Animals - New Release Review

Director: Sean Byrne

Starring: Hassie Harrison, Jai Courtney, Josh Heuston, Ella Newton, Michael Goldman

Written by: Nick Lepard

Produced by: Chris Ferguson, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Mickey Liddell, Troy Lum, Andrew Mason, Pete Shilaimon

Cinematography by: Shelley Farthing-Dawe

Original Score by: Michael Yezerski

Synopsis:

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.

Thoughts:

Packing more bite than you can shake a stick at. 'Dangerous Animals' proves to please audiences with its blend of over the top berserk violence and a nod to campiness, perfectly orchestrated to a tee by Sean Byrne.

A packed audience at the Vue in Leicester Square gathered a week early for this screening, a gala event as well as cameras filming the audience reactions during the film. The open bar helped with getting everyone in the mood for this one, not to mention the complimentary popcorn. A fun time thriller with twists and turns. It’s a real treat to have a popcorn genre film hitting the screens heading into summer, in honour of the 50th anniversary of 'Jaws'. Great performances in this one from Hassie Harrison and her adversary Jai Courtney.

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The cold opener starts the film off hot and is highlighted by the exceptional cinematography by Shelley Farthing-Dawe, who gives the film a unique grainy look. These opening moments were packed with such an overwhelming sense of dread, taking no time in ramping up. For Ella Newton’s character, who gives the Mia Goth gap-year type, gleefully heading off with a friend, coming across a ‘travelling in Australian bucket list’ opportunity. Getting that up close encounter with a shark quickly turns ugly. It reminded me of the pace and strong sense of doom at the beginning of 'Scream'. Very aware of itself and knows what the audience wants. Accompanied with a dynamic score from Michael Yezerski that adds a lot to the quality of these moments.

There is room for lighter moments, when we are introduced to cool girl surfer Zephyr, played by Hassie Harrison. A 20-something American who has moved to Australia, travelling around and living out of a van, she meets Moses, played by Josh Heuston. They bond over their shared passion of surfing, as well as engaging in debates about their Creedence Clearwater Revival fandom. 

Some fun needle drops throughout, in particular Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Albatross’ which gets you thinking you’re in a Marks & Spencer’s ad. Then throw Alice Deejay’s ‘Better Off Alone’ into the mix to really get across Zephyr’s whole journey.

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The film isn’t packed with too many cliches or references but I always enjoy the inclusion of a character that’s a bit of a VHS head. Though in this case I can’t support the cause. Not to mention the old RCA camcorder used throughout, as a vital tool in the documentation of these horrors. Some gruesome set ups and twisted ends. 'Peeping Tom' style voyeurism with the slasher era upgrades. The ‘Diary of a Madman’ style dance sequence with Tucker, played by Jai Courtney got a great reaction and was one of the more memorable moments.

Gnarly, bonkers and well executed. 'Dangerous Animals' is an adrenaline rush with equal gasps and laughter throughout. The film was applauded loudly at its conclusion, in appreciation of the blood dripping, teeth shattering showdown. 

Not too overboard with CGI in a 'Sharknado' way either. Fun characters and inoffensive to people who do not favour anything plot heavy and over 90 minutes. One of the better shark movies post 'Jaws'. Turns out surfer types do live life by being able to quote 'Point Break' at a moment's notice like it’s their bible, just as we suspect they would. 

Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

-Gary McIlhagga

'Dangerous Animals' is released in Irish & UK cinemas on June 6th