DANGEROUS ANIMALS (2025)

Yo…pssst. Do you like shark movies? Ya? How about serial killer movies? Alright, cool. Well have I got the film for you. Sean Byrne’s – The Loved Ones (2009) – Dangerous Animals is an effective mash-up of these two beloved horror sub-genres that also share the bond of always channeling into survival thrillers. It’s a lofty endevour some might say, and I conclude that Bryne reels it in. It is, at least to me, the perfect summer movie. In fact, I regret not seeing it at the drive-in with a half mickey in my Big Gulp. The cast is excellent. Leads Jai Courtney – Jack Reacher (2012), Suicide Squad (2016) – and Hassie Harrison – Southbound (2015), Max Reload and the Nether Blasters (2020) – both find originality with their respective cat and mouse roles. After some forgettable films for Jai – Divergent (2014), Terminator Genesis (2015) – it’s nice to see things come together for his latest as the charismatic psycho Bruce Tucker. Hassie equally commits as the distrustful surf drifter Zephyr, living and fighting with the intensity of a wounded animal with an old soul. There is no quit in in her and the Jennifer Lawrence vibes and demeanour are refreshing and welcome. It’s up to you to decide who the real dangerous animals are here (wink, wink), but in all seriousness this is a great time and more people should be talking about how much fun this film is.

WATCH OR NOT: WATCH

Additional musings: Dear shark film nerds (and yes I am among them), not every movie with a shark in it should be compared to Jaws. Having said that, Jaws rules.