A Dangerous Survival Drama For The Weak-Hearted, But Far From Flawless

RATING – ⭐⭐✨ 2.5/5*

Dangerous Animals Review movie Talkies:

Dangerous Animals is a survival horror film that, despite featuring sharks, has nothing to do with Steven Spielberg’s legendary Jaws (1975). The connection stops at the sight of the predators. While it may remind you of other shark-based thrillers, this one comes with a different twist — it’s not about sharks randomly attacking people, but about a man who deliberately feeds them human prey. The idea is chilling, the execution adds tension, but the climax sadly falls apart, leaving the film far from flawless.

Dangerous Animals Story:

The Story follows serial killer Tucker (Jai Courtney), who runs a shark cage-diving business. Beneath the façade of adventure tourism, he kidnaps unsuspecting victims and locks them in his boat. Once trapped, he feeds them to the sharks, recording the horrific killings for his personal satisfaction. Among his captives are drifter Zephyr (Hassie Harrison) and Heather (Ella Newton). Tucker feeds Heather to the sharks and films it, leaving Zephyr terrified as she realizes she’s next. What Tucker doesn’t anticipate is that Zephyr’s not-quite-boyfriend, Moses (Josh Heuston), is searching for her. The suspense lies in whether Zephyr and Moses can outwit Tucker and survive the nightmare.

The plot is simple, and from the antagonist’s point of view, it feels disturbingly convincing. The shark scenes are genuinely brutal, and Tucker’s sadistic nature makes the film even more gruesome.

Where the film falters is in its final act. The Story is predictable — audiences already know the hero and heroine will find some way to escape — but the manner in which it happens feels illogical and overly dramatic. In one key moment, a shark inexplicably leaves the heroine alone, only to make a huge leap and attack the antagonist instead. The sequence is too filmy, too convenient, and drains credibility from what had been a gripping setup.

Dangerous Animals Cast:

On the acting front, Jai Courtney delivers a frighteningly good performance, making Tucker one of the most detestable villains in recent memory. His inhuman cruelty is the kind that sticks with you. Hassie Harrison shines as Zephyr. She begins as the attractive drifter but grows into a character with depth and resilience, showcasing her range as an actress. Josh Heuston as Moses is charming and likable, though his role doesn’t break new ground. Ella Newton is natural in her brief role as Heather, while Rob Carlton and Liam Greinke barely leave an impression due to limited screen time.

Dangerous Animals movie Review:

Technically, the film is serviceable. The sound design doesn’t pack the punch expected of a tense survival horror, yet it manages to create atmosphere in crucial scenes. Cinematography is effective, especially in underwater shark shots, though the film avoids graphic brutality, likely due to restrictions. Editing is crisp, with a runtime just shy of 100 minutes, keeping the pacing tight. Sean Byrne’s direction delivers moments of genuine tension, but his inability to craft a satisfying climax undermines the overall impact.

In the end, Dangerous Animals is a decent watch, particularly for viewers who enjoy survival thrillers and don’t mind logical flaws. For the weak-hearted, it’s definitely a tense experience. For everyone else, it’s an average survival horror that could have been much sharper with a more believable ending.

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