Movie Reviews
‘Dangerous Animals’ review: Sharksploitation serial killer film is tense and exciting
Dangerous Animals brings together two of horror’s most popular sub-genres. Zephyr (Hassie Harrison, Yellowstone) is a rebellious surfer who is not interested in anything on land. She is the perfect victim for Tucker (Jai Courtney, The Suicide Squad), a serial killer obsessed with sharks. When she finds herself trapped on his boat, she must find a way to escape before becoming food for the sharks.
It is the perfect premise for an over the top comedy horror. Surprisingly, the film is a tense and creepy affair that is never played for laughs. The premise means there are some wild moments, but Dangerous Animals is a tight psychological horror. The writing does an excellent job of building tension. The plot is constantly moving forward once Zephyr is brought into Tucker’s world. It is an exciting watch that is helped by set pieces which adds to the terror.
The characters are a mixed bag. Courtney is fantastic as the unhinged Tucker. Initially, he is cold and calculating. It is the kind of attitude in serial killers that some mistake as charisma. He commands the screen in every scene that he is in. Things change in the third act following an incident following one of his most cherished possessions. He loses all sense of control and the calm he exuded earlier is replaced by the mania that was hinted at. Tucker is downright frightening.
There is nothing wrong with Harrison’s performance, but her character may be a little too much for some. She lives her life on the edge and makes sure to constantly let anyone who asks know. It can be overbearing and corny at times. That being said, there is a sense of self-awareness, like in the moment when she quotes Point Break to explain her life. She is also a fantastic Final Girl, resourceful and willing to take any risk in order to survive.
It all comes together in an exhilarating watch. Dangerous Animals never tips its hand and each shocking reveal works to full effect. It is the rare twist-free horror movie that unpeels layers of its characters. Instead, fantastic sound design and well-shot shark action bring all the fear.
Dangerous Animals releases in theaters June 6.
