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Lead Critic for the site, as well as serving as an editor when needed.
How many actors inevitably play a serial killer, or some other sociopathic character? The question is better left to ponder than actually provide an answer. Jai Courtney (A Good Day to Die Hard, Terminator Genisys, Suicide Squad, Alita: Battle Angel, The Suicide Squad, Kaleidoscope) leads the IFC Films/ Shudder survival horror thriller film, Dangerous Animals, as Bruce Tucker, and is somehow having the most fun of everyone on screen. Sean Byrne’s (The Loved Ones) direction amplifies what could have been a rather dull film. Simultaneously, Nick Lepard’s script is borderline comedic at times. Unfortunately, the film’s ultimate execution isn’t quite enough to chew on at times.
Dangerous Animals has a few worthwhile conversations, mostly about life and about man versus nature. The lead character, Zephyr (Hassie Harrison), feels constantly stuck, trying to run from something even slightly meaningful. Harrison could very well become a modern-day scream queen if she stays on this track. She channels Marilyn Burns in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) in her role. The character eventually bows up to the chaotic Tucker, even with the film’s final moments feeling like Sally running away from Leatherface as he twirls his chainsaw in angst.
Who is the Real Danger?
Tucker is one funny serial killer, which is even stranger to put into words. He’s constantly lecturing his victims on the power of sharks and the killers of the sea. However, this discussion brings up a great point: are we the real danger? Or is it the sharks and beasts that roam the vast oceans of the world? Probably the former. Humans suck, and we commit some deranged acts. Pick any moment from history. As we are introduced to Zephyr, she meets Moses (Josh Heuston). After deducing that Zephyr is missing, not just avoiding him by surfing in another part of Australia, he attempts to report her missing, to no avail, obviously.
The Human Characters of Dangerous Animals
Sometimes, it seems almost too often that women actually do randomly go missing. Usually, the police are somehow no help. Eventually, Moses discovers the boat Tucker holds these innocent women in. Dangerous Animals does well at proving the sheer will and determination of people held captive like this. Moses does fight well enough, however, the film’s need to transition Zephyr into the hero role is one of it’s best elements. Zephyr’s rage is calculated and almost held back until the proper moment.
Tucker is almost as standard as any movie serial killer. The script presents his quirks and qualms with life, seemingly blending his need to be in control with his fear of the ocean itself. Even if he does seem to “respect” the killers of the ocean. In his final moments, Tucker is just as scared and sad as those he choose to hurt, in an almost poetic and pathetic showing. However, Zephyr presents the proper amount of rage. She determines that—as we should believe—one can truly make it happen if it’s meant to play out. She also has no problem losing a damn finger, either. The film’s gnarly moments are somehow the most fun, as well.
Technical Elements
Dangerous Animals is lit surprisingly well, thanks to gaffer Ben Dugard. That is not to mention the use of color throughout the IFC Films/ Shudder film is welcoming. Transitioning from the bright reds and blues of blood and the ocean, respectively, to the dull color of the room where these women have been held captive, is another part of the film that works so well. The CGI is slightly overused, though, and some shots from director of photography Shelley Farthing-Dawe just look plain bad. Then again, at other times, the film’s blocking is great and the cinematography rivals that of even the best horror films.
When Byrne decides to slowly encroach on his characters with the camera, it makes for the tensest and darkest moments of the film. The fact that Tucker has been at this for, at least several years, makes it all the more worse, and really makes the audience want Zephyr to fight. The transition from hopeless death by shark, as this maniac watches and films it, to the hopeful aspect of Moses attempting to save her, is where the script succeeds. Because then, Moses is almost fatally struck by Tucker, and we truly begin to discover what Zephyr is capable of.
Music composer Michael Yezerski’s score is used at the best moments. It really hits the audience in the face, coming off as an unnecessary surge of emotions. However, Kasra Rassoulzadegan’s editing continues to add to the chaos of the film, cutting back and forth from Tucker’s calm demeanor in feeding helpless women to sharks, to Zephyr’s ultimate goal of escape.
Final Thoughts on Dangerous Animals
While Dangerous Animals isn’t perfect, the IFC Films/ Shudder film works well enough to create a different type of shark story. However, the film works best when it gives Zephyr most of its attention. The main trio of actors—Hassie Harrison, Jai Courtney, and Josh Hueston—would potentially wager even better in a project even darker and scarier. While Zephyr doesn’t really give your typical horror girl scream, she’s a great character. The callbacks to others before her are what makes this film even worthy of a conversation. Sally would be proud of her biting her own thumb off.
3.5/5 stars
Sean Byrne and Nick Lepard’s Dangerous Animals releases in theatres nationwide on Friday, June 6th, and is expected to stream via Shudder at a later date!
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Lead Critic for the site, as well as serving as an editor when needed.
