Movie Overview

• Title: Dangerous Animals

• Release Date: June 6, 2025 (USA), June 12, 2025 (Australia); premiered at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight on May 17, 2025

• Genre: Survival Horror / Thriller

• Director: Sean Byrn

• Cast: Hassie Harrison (Zephyr), Jai Courtney (Tucker), Josh Heuston (Moses), Ella Newton, Rob Carlton

• Where to Watch: In theaters (USA, Australia), now also on VOD platforms like Amazon Prime via Fandango at Home

1. Plot Summary

Dangerous Animals follows Zephyr, a rebellious American surfer living off the grid, who becomes the captive of Tucker—a shark-obsessed, sadistic boat captain. Onboard his isolated vessel set against the vast ocean, she must outwit him before becoming adrift in a gruesome feeding ritual for sharks below

2. Notable Elements

• Memorable Performances: Jai Courtney delivers a chilling, unhinged portrayal of Tucker, while Hassie Harrison stands out as the resilient and resourceful Zephyr

• Tense, original atmosphere: The film innovatively blends shark horror with slasher elements—making the human antagonist more terrifying than nature itself

• Outstanding visual and sound design: Captivating Ocean cinematography paired with suspenseful minimalistic shark visuals amplify tension and dread effectively

3. Themes and Messages

• Human savagery over animal instinct: The film subverts traditional horror tropes by positioning the human villain as the deadliest “animal” of all .

• Survival and resilience: Zephyr’s fight for life parallels themes of endurance and empowerment—echoing the spirit of renewal often celebrated during holidays and gatherings.

• Genre meta-commentary: Utilizes horror tropes and ritualistic violence as both effective thrills and commentary on horror fandom itself .

4. Personal Impressions

I found Dangerous Animals thrillingly raw and relentless. Courtney’s portrayal of Tucker is memorably unsettling, while Harrison gives Zephyr believable backbone and grit. The blend of horror and dark humor, along with the unsettling ocean setting, keeps the story gripping—that said, some may find the plot predictable within the genre. Still, strong direction, pacing, and thematics hold it together convincingly .

5. Audience Recommendations

If you enjoy:

• Intense shark horror with a twist—humans as scarier monsters,

• Gritty survival thrillers with strong heroines,

• Horror that leans into suspense, dark humor, and suspenseful restraint—

Then Dangerous Animals is absolutely for you.

6. Conclusion & Rating

Dangerous Animals is a terrifyingly smart and stylish take on shark-thrillers. With standout performances and taut, atmospheric direction, it delivers suspense and dread skillfully. It may tread familiar ground, but it does so with flair.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)