Horror has defined the short but striking career of Australian director Sean Byrne. Dangerous Animals (2025) is his third feature film, and once again, he walks the path of scares. In this new project, Byrne blends the serial killer formula with the kind of horror found in monster movies—specifically the shark attack subgenre.

There’s a certain charm in the way Dangerous Animals takes on such a well-worn path. The formula is so familiar that we can almost predict every beat down to the second, yet the staging proves effective and never drags us into boredom. Perhaps it’s the simplicity with which Byrne presents the story, or the fact that the film never pretends to be more than it is. There’s no attempt here to give psychological depth to each character beyond what is necessary for the plot to function. Dangerous Animals gets straight to the point and consistently seeks to generate fear using the genre’s traditional tools.

This isn’t a film that dazzles with originality or impresses with a flawless script. Rather, it’s a movie that follows a well-known formula and delivers exactly what one would expect. Dangerous Animals relies heavily on its villain, perfectly portrayed by Jai Courtney. His character—a chilling, cold, calculated, and brutal killer—is the film’s strongest asset. On the other side, we have Zephyr (Hassie Harrison), a bold surfer who becomes the latest target of the monstrous psychopath. Harrison is convincing as the tough girl who refuses to go down without a fight.

Another strong point in Byrne’s favor is the runtime. At just 1 hour and 38 minutes, the film maintains a tight pace; there’s no room for filler scenes or overly stylized shots. The action is constant, which keeps audiences from overthinking the plot. From the very first scene, the villain’s presence looms, even before we fully understand his twisted games.

The only real weight dragging this boat down is its reliance on clichés; without them, it wouldn’t stay afloat. We can’t deny the film’s effectiveness in taking us from beginning to end with a steady rhythm. But we also can’t ignore its lack of creativity in presenting the same old formulas, or its decision to close with a cloying, overly sweet ending.

Dangerous Animals doesn’t reinvent horror, but it doesn’t betray it either. It’s a film that understands its limitations and operates well within them. For those seeking tension, blood, and a memorable villain, the ride is worth it.