Australian director Sean Byrne, renowned for cult horror hits The Loved Ones and The Devil’s Candy, returns with his third feature, Dangerous Animals – a chilling fusion of survival horror and shark thriller. The film stars Hassie Harrison (Yellowstone) as Zephyr, a surfer abducted by a shark-obsessed serial killer, Tucker, portrayed by Jai Courtney (The Suicide Squad). Josh Heuston (Heartbreak High) plays Moses, Zephyr’s love interest who becomes entangled in the deadly game, while Ella Newton rounds out the cast in a supporting role.

Dangerous Animals made its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in the prestigious Directors’ Fortnight section, marking the first Australian feature to screen in that program since 2014. The film is set for a U.S. theatrical release on June 6, 2025, distributed by IFC Films and Shudder.

The official synopsis reads: When Zephyr, a rebellious surfer, is abducted by a shark-obsessed serial killer and held captive on his boat, she must figure out how to escape before he carries out a ritualistic feeding to the sharks below.

Director Sean Byrne explained his vision and fresh take on the shark horror genre, saying, “What felt fresh about it is exactly what you’re talking about. The shark isn’t the indiscriminate killer. I think, in a way, as incredible as Jaws is, it kind of did a disservice to the shark. Ever since that film, everyone thinks that they’re just going to attack you, which isn’t true at all.” Byrne emphasized the use of real sharks in the film, including makos, bull sharks, tiger sharks, and gray nurse sharks, to bring authenticity to the underwater scenes.

Watch the official trailer for Dangerous Animals.