10 Recent Slashers That Deserve More Attention

Sean Byrne's survival drama follows  Zephyr (Hassie Harrison), a drifter who's abducted by sadistic sea captain Bruce Tucker (Jai Courtney) and imprisoned on his boat. When Zephyr learns Bruce feeds his prey to the local sharks, she sets her sights on escaping.

Due to the marine location, there's a relentless sense of dread and isolation, which should leave anyone constantly on guard. And yet, Dangerous Animals is disarmingly frightening, right from the opening sequence. Jai Courtney plays Bruce with playful charisma, making it more shocking when he nonchalantly guts his victims. 

Although slashers tend to rely on contrivance or convenience, Dangerous Animals has no room for sloppy writing. The key ensemble feels like flesh-and-blood human beings, keeping viewers invested throughout. Even though Zephyr is resourceful, the sinister captain is terrifyingly adaptable, taking every precaution imaginable to make escape impossible.

Jump scares are aplomb, but they feel earned rather than forced; the pacing is airtight, ensuring there’s never a dull moment while still allowing tension to build naturally.

Thanks to the sharp script, focus on atmosphere, and Jai Courtney's career-defining performance, Dangerous Animals is a splasher slasher that horror veterans should sink their teeth into.