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.

Review: Shashtipoorthi, directed by Pavan Prabha, follows a familiar yet heartfelt path, exploring themes of estrangement, reconciliation and the quiet resilience of familial bonds. Ilaiyaraaja’s soulful score and a couple of evocative songs, paired with the director’s nostalgic treatment of community life, give the film a warm and intimate texture.

The screenplay, however, falters. The narrative takes too long to reach its emotional centre, with several scenes in the first half feeling random. The core premise, which revolves around an earnest attempt to heal a fractured family, truly comes alive only in the latter half, which may test the patience of some viewers.

While the emotional arcs in the second half strike a chord, the film misses the opportunity to make the most of its veteran actors. Rajendra Prasad and Archana, though impactful when they appear together, are underutilised in the first half. Their dynamic needed more screen time and depth, given the emotional weight their characters carry.

Rupeysh Choudhary delivers a committed performance, and Aakanksha Singh supports him well. The supporting cast helps build the world convincingly, especially through community interactions that evoke a gentle nostalgia reminiscent of old-school Telugu family dramas.

Visually, the film is pleasing. The cinematography is clean and unobtrusive, capturing the grounded environment with sincerity. Production values are decent, lending authenticity to the narrative setting.

Despite its slow start and inconsistent screenplay, Shashtipoorthi redeems itself with moments that touch the heart. It’s a modest yet meaningful watch for those who enjoy reflective family dramas rooted in tradition and culture.