Hassie Harrison in Dangerous Animals. Photo by Mark Taylor.

Australian director Sean Byrne’s upcoming survival horror Dangerous Animals, will have its World Premiere at the Cannes Film Festival next month, where it has been selected to screen at the Directors’ Fortnight as a Special Screening.

The Directors’ Fortnight is an independent section which is dedicated to showcasing a programme of contemporary cinema including shorts, feature films and documentaries from around the world.

Dangerous Animals stars Jai Courtney (American Primeval, Jack Reacher) as a shark-obsessed serial killer alongside Hassie Harrison (Yellowstone), and Josh Heuston (Dune: The Prophecy, Heartbreak High). Shot on the Gold Coast, written by Nick Lepard and produced by the team behind Boy Swallows Universe, Dangerous Animals is helmed by Australian horror auteur Sean Byrne – director of fan favourites The Loved Ones and The Devil’s Candy.

ADVERTISEMENT

The film follows Zephyr (Hassie Harrison), a savvy and free-spirited surfer, who is abducted by a shark-obsessed serial killer (Jai Courtney) and held captive on his boat. She must figure out how to escape before he carries out a ritualistic feeding to the sharks below. The only person who realizes she is missing is new love interest Moses (Josh Heuston), who goes looking for Zephyr, only to be caught by the deranged murderer as well.

After having its World Premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May (the festival runs from May 13 to 24), Dangerous Animals will release in Australian cinemas nationally on June 12.

If you enjoy Cinema Australia as much as I love publishing it, please consider supporting Cinema Australia’s commitment to the Australian screen industry via a donation below.

I strive to shine a light on Australian movies, giving voice to emerging talent and established artists.

This important work is made possible through the support of Cinema Australia readers.

Without corporate interests or paywalls, Cinema Australia is committed to remaining free to read, watch and listen to, always.

If you can, please consider making a contribution. It takes less than a minute, and your support will make a significant impact in sustaining Cinema Australia as the much-loved publication that it is.

Thank you.

Matthew Eeles
Founder and Editor.

Make a donation here.