Alex First: The Australian psychological horror film
Dangerous Animals delivers a fresh and
intense take on the shark thriller genre,
combining elements reminiscent of Jaws and
Dead Calm, but with a darker, more sinister
twist. The film pushes boundaries in both
concept and execution, creating a
unique hybrid of natural horror and
psychological thriller that keeps viewers on
edge throughout its runtime. The story
centres around Bruce Tucker, a Gold
coast charter boat operator portrayed with
chilling effectiveness by Jai Courtney.
Tucker runs what appears to be a, legitimate
shark watching business, taking tourists out
to observe great whites from the supposed
safety of underwater cages. This
setup is demonstrated early in the film
through Canadian tourist Greg and British
visitor Heather, who book Tucker's services
after missing out on a planned trip to
SeaWorld. These initial scenes
establish the seemingly routine nature of
Tucker's operation while building tension for
what's to come. The narrative takes a
sharp turn with the introduction of Zephyr, a
lone American surfer played by Hassie
Harrison. Her character, marked by a
troubled past, arrives in Australia
seeking solitude and waves. A
chance encounter with Moses Markley,
a persistent real estate salesman, leads to a
brief romantic connection when she helps him
with his car troubles. True to
her independent nature, Zephyr disappears
before dawn, continuing her solitary journey
in her camper van, leaving Moses behind
without explanation. Despite their intimate
encounter. The plot intensifies when
Zephyr crosses paths with Tucker while
seeking a fin key for her surfboard.
This seemingly mundane interaction reveals
Tucker's true nature. He's actually a
sadistic serial killer who derives pleasure
from feeding women to sharks. While filming
their deaths. The boat, initially
presented as a tourist vessel, transforms
into a floating prison for his victims, with
its steel construction making escape nearly
impossible. Writer Nick Leopard's
screenplay takes several unexpected turns,
particularly in the final 40 minutes, where
the story pushes into increasingly
outrageous territory. While the plot might
stretch credibility, it maintains
originality and creative flair throughout.
The performances anchor the film's more
extreme elements. With Courtney's portrayal
of Tucker standing out, he creates a
character who takes disturbing pride in his
murderous work, always maintaining a smile
while orchestrating his brutal kills.
The supporting cast delivers strong
performances throughout. Rob
Carlton makes a memorable impression in his
limited screen time as Tucker's dishevelled
neighbour when the boat is in port. Adding
another layer of tension to the narrative,
Josh Houston brings depth to Moses,
portraying him as more than just a romantic
interest, but as someone who persistently
sees potential in Zephyr that she doesn't
recognise in herself. Director Sean
Barne maximises tension throughout,
creating a claustrophobic atmosphere aboard
Tucker's boat and never telegraphing the
film's numerous shocking moments. The
film's technical elements enhance its impact,
with a strong musical score underlining the
mounting tension and contributing to the
overall sense of dread and anticipation.
Zephyr emerges as a compelling protagonist,
with Harrison bringing a fierce pragmatism to
the role. Her character's fighting spirit
becomes crucial as she faces off against
Tucker's methodical malevolence.
The film emphasises her determination not
to become another victim, leading to an
intense battle of wills between predator and
intended prey. While the premise
might seem far fetched or even preposterous
at times, the execution creates a
genuinely unsettling experience that
combines psychological horror with graphic
thriller elements. The result is a
provocative and grisly film that manages to
deliver consistent thrills while pushing
genre boundaries. The movie's structure
builds tension effectively, with each
revelation about Tucker's true nature,
raising the stakes for Zephyr and anyone else
who crosses his path. The film
earned an MA rating, suggesting strong
adult content, and while it may test
audiences suspension of disbelief, it
succeeds in creating a unique entry
in the psychological horror genre.
The combination of shark based terror and
serial killer elements, while extreme, offers
a fresh take on familiar thriller tropes,
earning it a solid 7 1/2 out of 10 rating.