Displaying items by tag: Josh Heuston

DANGEROUS ANIMALS

Australia, 2025, 98 minutes, Colour.

Jai Courtenay, Hassie Harrison, Josh Heuston, Rob Carlton.

Directed by Sean Byrnes.

2025 sees the 50^th anniversary of the release of Jaws. And, so many Jaws-themed action films over the decades. And, here is another. And, while some of the dialogue does praise the importance of sharks in the whole life cycle of the oceans, it still offers plenty of frightening scenes of menacing and attacking sharks.

In the 1970s and 1980s, small budget Australian action shows which were intended to frighten and shock-tantalise audiences were considered as exploitation films, but the general name was Ozploitation. Dangerous Animals certainly fits into this category. There is a sense of menace all the way through. There is a psychopath central character, misogynist, targeting female tourists and abducting them, imprisoning them, filming them, finally his atrociously sadistic relish. (This last sentence has been written to indicate whether audiences really want to see this film on not.)

While, there are horror elements, and some gory moments, highlighted by pounding and reverberating chords, this one is not like the current range of slasher films. The story has some credibly incredible action sequences and horror, threats, dangers, grim deaths.

What makes the film better than most is the consistency of the tone, centred on Tucker, a fearsome and frightening performance from Jai Courtenay (and for film buffs of Australian films, looking and sounding like veteran Chris Haywood). He has his boat, he fishes, has some seedy friends, is so absorbed in his own world that he has a grossly distorted sense of reality and morality.

American actor, Hassie Harrison (in many episodes of television’s Yellowstone), is a tough-minded as well as physically strong surfer, Zephyr, who is caught by Tucker, but is continually defiant, physically defiant. The other central character is Moses, Josh Huuston (many episodes of televisions Heartbreak High), who, in reversal of traditional roles of men saving women, has to be saved by Zephyr.

There are many spectafular scenes of the Queensland coast as well as of the Gold Coast sea-front.

Of course, looking again at the title, while the sharks might be considered dangerous, the portrait of Tucker reminds us that humans are dangerous animals.

1. The title and expectations? Sharks as dangerous? Humans as dangerous animals?
2. The locations in Queensland, the Queensland coast, the ocean, the boats, on land, the Gold Coast, wharves and sheds? The musical score?
3. 50 years since Jaws? The many shark films over the decades? Sharks as dangerous, menace, attacking the humans?
4. The tourists to Queensland, Americans, British, the couple going to the boat, the encounter with Tucker, his reassurances, being lowered to observe the sharks, coming to the surface, friendly, Tucker killing him? Imprisoning Heather?
5. Tucker, his character, tough, seemingly genial, the shock of his killing the man, imprisoning Heather, taunting her, tying her up, food and drink, his plan, her suspended over the water, the sharks, filming, her fears, death? And his cupboard full of videos? Serial killer? Talking to himself, his commentary on his behaviour?
6. Zephyr, the tourist, her back story at home, surfing, her van, breaking down, the encounter with Moses, getting the lift, some attraction, together, the meal, the night together, her going off, Moses and the breakfast, following her?
7. The encounter with Tucker, her tough stances, his overpowering her, abducting her, in the cabin with Heather? The situation, the mutual support, Tucker and his visits, food and drink, taunts?
8. Zephyr and using her wits, breaking free, witnessing the death of Heather, the filming? Playing cat and mouse with Tucker?
9. Dave, friendship with Tucker, the encounter with Moses, coming aboard, friendly, Tucker killing him?
10. Moses, connecting with the police, his character, determination, the effect of Zephyr and the night? Tracking him down, the connections, Dave?
11. The buildup to the confrontation between Tucker, Moses and Zephyr? Moses taken, torture? Zephyr and her escaping? The nearby pleasure cruiser, not hearing the appeals?
12. Moses, his attempts to help, in the water, injuries, taunted by Tucker? Zephyr, using her wits, the escapes, recaptured, building up to the confrontation? And the ever-present sharks?
13. The heroine saving the hero? Tucker and his comeuppance, his death, surprise?
14. And a variation on shark menace films?