About sharks and people. Review of the film Dangerous Animals

Shark movies are a strange subgenre that seems to be based solely on the merits of Steven Spielberg's Jaws. It seems that it is no longer possible to say anything new in such stories. However, Sean Breen's Dangerous Animals proves that there is still room for imagination in shark stories. It is enough to simply make them a tool, not the main element of the movie. The result is one of the best thrillers / horror films of 2025, which knows exactly how to keep the audience in a state of constant tension.

Zephyr (Hesse Harrison) loves surfing, waves and freedom. But the latter is brazenly taken from her by serial killer Tucker (Jai Courtney), who uses shark tours as a cover to actually torture people, brutally kill and dispose of evidence with the help of the same sharks. Now the girl needs all her wits and lust for life to defeat an extremely dangerous enemy and not become just food.

Dangerous Animals is one of those good thrillers/horror films that is better to go to without knowing the context or additional information. So I will say right away that this is an excellent film that is not afraid to provoke the audience, makes the most of the feeling of limitation and pressure, really successfully scares and creates an interesting dynamic between the "victim" and the "antagonist". It also sounds and looks amazing. If these arguments do not convince you, then read on.

The film's main treasure and the reason it is so memorable is its antagonist. Tucker, played by Jai Courtney, is a charismatic, talkative and downright scary "monster". His weapons are not only a knife, but also psychological pressure, manipulation and a toxic "alpha male" philosophy, which he broadcasts with a self-confident smile. Courtney gives perhaps the best role of his career, creating an image that is both attractive and repulsive at the same time.

However, sometimes Tucker hits too hard on pathos and reflections on nothing. It seems that the actor and the film crew are too aggressively trying to arouse disgust for the character. Because of this, there is also some artificiality in him, but it is good that it manifests itself only from time to time, and does not drag all the attention of the audience onto itself.

The serial killer in Dangerous Animals doesn't just kill: he enjoys power, dominance, and the destruction of others' will. That's why there's too much physical and psychological cruelty in the film. The sharks against the backdrop of the monster man seem even harmless and cute, but you still shouldn't relax while watching scenes with them. The film poses a generally banal, but quite relevant question: who is the really dangerous animal here? The supposedly stereotypical main threat turns into a stylistic element and even a metaphor.

The entire plot structure of the film rests on the direction of Sean Byrne. Fans of the genre know him for such non-trivial works as The Loved Ones and The Devil's Candy, and Dangerous Animals only cements his status as one of the most interesting voices in modern horror.

Byrne chooses efficiency over showiness. He doesn't waste time on unnecessary sentimentality or unnecessary exposition, immediately immersing the viewer in an atmosphere of suspense. Every frame, every angle works to create a sense of claustrophobia and hopelessness, even in the middle of the boundless ocean. The camera skillfully captures both the primal horror of a collision with wildlife and the much deeper fear of human cruelty. Moreover, the director understands perfectly well that horror films and thrillers do not need unnecessary explanations. On the contrary, it is the atmosphere of mystery and the audience's own assumptions that enhance the immersion - in Dangerous Animals it is sometimes quite literal - in the story. It is obvious that this is not just another shark movie; this is Sean Byrne's film, which means that the viewer is in for an intelligent, uncompromising and stylish spectacle.

But even the best villain and the greatest director can't do anything without a worthy protagonist who you really want to root for. Hessie Harrison as Zephyr is a real discovery. Her heroine is not a helpless "damsel in distress", but a strong and resourceful girl whose love of surfing and the ocean gives her not only physical endurance, but also a deep understanding of the elements and even the forces of nature in general. The director depicts her character with a few precise strokes, and this is enough for us to instantly take her side. The dynamic between her and Tucker is a tense psychological duel, a battle of will and instincts, where each tries to use the environment to his advantage. This focus on characters and their confrontation elevates Dangerous Animals head and shoulders above many soulless survival thrillers.

But beyond the confrontation between the main characters, Dangerous Animals offers nothing special. The story focuses on the second storyline for about an hour, but it is banal. In contrast to the outstanding main part with Hessie Harrison, this part of the plot feels alien, as if it was shot for some other film.

Dangerous Animals successfully combines elements of several genres, creating a unique cocktail. It is a hermetic thriller, a psychological horror, and a film about survival. This approach allows you to feel the multi-layered tension: the danger comes not only from the teeth of a predator or the weapon of a killer, but also from the situation itself, where there is no one to wait for help, and every wrong move can be the last.

Sean Byrne's film is a competent thriller that is a great example of how to breathe new life into a seemingly stale subgenre. Thanks to Jai Courtney's brilliant performance, overall direction, a strong main character and a smart script, the film keeps you in suspense from the first to the last minute. This is a brutal film that is not just scary, but also makes you think about the nature of evil. Without a doubt, Dangerous Animals is one of the best and brightest genre films of the year, a must-see for anyone who appreciates a film that makes you want to squeeze as hard as possible into your chair while watching.