Dangerous Animals (dir. Sean Byrne)

By: Dave Hughes

The horror community has been waiting for Sean Byrne to return for over a decade. The  Australian filmmaker made a name for himself with 2009’s brutal and stomach-turning film The Loved Ones, a twisted tale of teenage lust. He then cemented his cult status in 2015’s metal infused nightmare, The Devil’s Candy. Byrne seemed to disappear from the genre and film entirely shortly thereafter. However, he has now returned with Dangerous Animals which is a hybrid of a shark thriller and the mayhem of an unhinged serial killer story.

Dangerous Animals is anchored by Jai Courtney (Suicide Squad) and Hassie Harrison (Yellowstone). Courtney plays Tucker, a sadistic tour guide with a disturbing fascination for sharks.  Harrison plays Zephyr, an American surfer looking for the next big wave or anything to get her away from an unstable upbringing. Courtney is the real star of this film. His turn as the menacing Tucker is one who won’t soon be forgotten. Courtney blends the perfect balance of charming ship captain and completely deranged predator which is a lot of fun for the viewer to experience. Tucker is unpredictable and makes the viewer incredibly uneasy. Harrison is the strong-willed protagonist that will hopefully survive this living nightmare. 

Moving at a breakneck speed out of the gate, Dangerous Animals does not let up. Character development occurs early but the lingering unease from an unforgettable opening scene never fades.  This film flies by because of Courtney and his ability to capture every scene that he is in. Viewers can’t help but be entertained by his presence. 

Since Jaws, shark movies have been a staple of the horror genre. With some hits and more frequent misses, it’s exciting to have one with the tension and creativity that Dangerous Animals brings to the table. While paying homage to previous filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg (Jaws) and Greg McLean (Wolf Creek), Byrne brings his signature unforgettable brutality established in his previous work. Byrne’s signature style accompanied by unease established by Courtney’s character creates a fun dynamic and sets this shark movie apart.

While Dangerous Animals excels in charismatic villains and visuals, it falters with its protagonists. While the film wants to establish a connection with Zephyr, it unfortunately makes its memorable antagonist too hard to resist, with Tucker’s charismatic energy.  Zephyr is a strong willed woman but there isn't much below the surface. When her past is revealed, it fails to create a meaningful connection with the audience.  Even more forgettable is Zephyr’s love interest Moses. Outside of his wealth and his music interests, not much is given to establish depth of his character.  Both protagonists ultimately fall flat and the danger presented in the second half of the film does not feel as scary as it should. Byrne’s film tries to make audiences feel empathy for them by setting up emotional stakes but because of the opening scene, all one can think about is getting back on the water.

Target Score 6.5/10 Dangerous Animals has a lot going for it. It’s an entertaining shark and serial killer mash up of a movie with a charismatic antagonist. Although director Sean Byrne never fulfills the promise of a deep protagonist, he keeps the film engaging with memorable visuals and his signature visceral brutality.  Byrne has established himself as a name to watch  with a triumvirate of solid horror movies, tempting audiences to jump in at the deep end with the gifted Australian filmmaker.