“Dangerous Animals” Review: Jay Courtney becomes a sublime savage as a shark-centered serial killer

Dangerous animals Has a Killer Hook: Jay Courtney stars as a crazy serial killer who uses sharks as his chosen weapon.

It can be weird, like on an old Batman comic, an Austin Power movie, or late-night TV when the ads were all numbers between 1 and 900. But props to screenwriter Nick Leppard and director Shawn Byrne. They bring blood and bites to this funky premise, delivering a deep movie to the frightening, sweat, thrills and chills.

Certainly, when a shark is terrified, things get pretty bad. It’s the best classic ever jawGore, a biting human body, is balanced with charming character-driven drama. Splasher Slaughterters came from the more vicious descendants of its inventive film, derived from Shark Slasher Deep blue sea A more realistic thriller Shallow water and 47 meters belowOver the top Jason Statham Adventure Meg And proudly, the Trashy Sharknado film series takes a more gonzo approach to the subgenre.

still, Dangerous animals It is not of this variety. Instead, the sharks in this film are kind of bait, switching for something more surprising and far more ominous.

Dangerous animals It’s more serial killer horror than the Shark Creature feature.

Those familiar with Shawnburn’s previous films may not be surprised to discover that sharks are not the most scary thing Dangerous animals. The King of the Sea has no shade. Cinematographer Shelley Farthing Daw and editor Kasla Rasluzadegan brilliantly capture and edit shots of sharks swimming in a savory, tasty swim. Some of such scenes were very impressive in the way that portrayed the power and size of these creatures, and literally took my breath. But the Shark is not the monster in this movie. They’re just sharks!

The monster here is Tucker (Kortney). Tucker is an Australian who cooked the sun that makes a living on the Gold Coast by taking tourists on boats to go on shark dives. Certainly, many people naturally come and go outside of brushes with happy memories. However, from the film’s terrifying opening sequence, viewers are aware of Tucker’s dark side. It’s not just this sturdy companion goes overboard to the shark. He ritually feeds them, feels a deep connection with the beast, and he feels a special joy in seeing them, especially in the younger women.

This is in line with Byrne’s brand horror. This tends to center around the horrible things that humanity is doing. The Australian filmmaker made his debut in a 2009 film The person I loveIt centers around a teenage girl who takes away her most twisted desires with a crash that was lured. Then came in 2015 Devil’s candy, Ethan Embry stars as a family man (and metalhead), striving to protect his teenage daughter from the murderous impulses of a mentally ill (or perhaps owns) old man.

Dangerous animals Byrne feels natural progression, including the heavy metal energy of his sophomore film, his first sadistic delight. And Courtney proves by making a ruthless twisted, creepy, entertaining film with the perfect collaborator for his pitch.

Jay Courtney is the power of nature’s intensity Dangerous animals.

Jay Courtney plays a serial killer who uses sharks as a weapon for “dangerous animals.”
Credit: IFC Movie

The Australian actor has an attractive career. A good day to die hard 2013. He has since appeared in several action franchise films. Diverge In Terminator: Genisys Until 2016 Suicide Squad And that strange 2021 pseudo-order. However, only these last ones he played the Wildcard DC Supervillain captain boomerang gave him a unique sense of dichotomy in Courtney’s abilities.

With wide shoulders, he fits naturally into the action hero type. But David Ayer’s performance Suicide Squad Courtney showed that it was interesting and can be obtained Strange So. It was an exhilarating rush to see him do just that. in Dangerous animalshe is freed. Forget the serious brooding or dashing sw walking of the main swarming men. Courtney has something more unusual, charming, with a crooked smile that promises trouble and wild eyes that threaten the genocide.

in Dangerous animals, Tucker’s pure brute force scares him. However, Courtney makes the character instantly iconic, enjoying playing such monsters. He is very undeniably attractive in a tourist-pleasing mode, so it’s easy to see how his prey is seduced. Dangerous animals, He disarms her by offering her favor – no strings attached. But as quickly as he can flash his teeth with a smile, he can bite. And this makes Byrne’s film more than just a hot thriller.

Dangerous animals It’s a fascinating horror story about toxic masculinity.

Tucker loves the sound of his own voice. While placing the woman in a boat and effectively trapped in healthy cells, he gives an unwelcome speech about the nature of the animal. Courtney drops fun facts about the sharks, snakes and the Marlins, applying philosophical varnish to violence against women, capturing the groans you’ve heard on countless macho podcasts. However, the visual details of Tucker’s ritual, including vintage VHS tapes and DIY lures, suggest a more psychological motivation rooted in misogyny. And this psychology is just as unsettling as scenes of shark violence and genocide.

in Dangerous animals, Byrne and Courtney give us a seductive portrait of toxic masculinity. Tucker compares himself to a shark. Because as a man, especially in the face of women like Zephyr, he feels inadequate. There is even a meaning of impotence that evokes Louis Buñuel Crime life in Archibaldo de la Cruz, Men aim to kill women, but never do so with their own hands. Similarly, Tucker uses sharks to commit crimes.

Fearful in a real sense, Tucker has mastered his rage until he reaches the sea where there is no place to run. The way he can switch from a friendly bowgun to a growl beast is riveting not only because Courtney’s speed, but also because this terrifying transformation reflects a common fear that a woman might be a random smiley man on the street, just below the surface. (Please refer to Man vs. bear discussion 2024. )

Surprisingly, thematically dark Dangerous animals It’s about seeing it touching and evilly fun. Whether he’s having a small talk with locals, rigging victims for feeding time, or rigging ritually to rock music in red underwear, Courtney is live wired and it seems like his villain can do anything.

Cheers to Harrison, who coincides his energy with Zephyr’s firm disgust. Together, they make a story of a shaking cat and a mouse, in the way of Byrne’s previous films. When you think you think you know where Dangerous animals It’s going on, it gets deeper and darker, and we’re keeping it inhale.

Simply put, Dangerous animals A satisfying, sick, devilishly smart thriller that will excite you in the theatre and steal you on your way home.

Dangerous animals It was reviewed since its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. The film will open in theaters in the US on June 12th.