Dangerous Animals
NZ release: 12 June 2025
Violence, cruelty, offensive language, sex scenes and content that may disturb Rated on: 13 May 2025
What’s it about?
When savvy surfer Zephyr is abducted and held captive on a boat by a shark-obsessed serial killer, she must find a way to escape before becoming part of his ritualistic feeding to the sharks below.
The facts
- Directed by Sean Byrne
- Starring Hassie Harrison (Tacoma FD), Jai Courtney (Suicide Squad), Josh Heuston (Heartbreak High), Ella Newton (Harrow), and Liam Greinke (The Dry)
- English language
- Runtime: 98 minutes
Why did it get this rating?
This film was classified by Te Mana Whakaatu, Classification Office. You can find out more about classification process and ratings here.
Violence, horror & cruelty
The films centres around a serial killer who abducts women and feeds them alive to sharks roaming the waters beneath his boat. It is full of suspense and jump scares, like other serial killer films. He also murders two men and severely injures another. Characters fight each other, punching, kicking, strangling, and stabbing each other in a cramped boat. Various improvised weapons are used and sharks attack characters who are partially submerged in the water. Examples include:
- A severed leg briefly floats on the surface of the ocean before it sinks.
- A character is depicted in the jaws of a shark.
Sex scenes and drug use
Two characters have sex in the back of a van. Nothing is shown in detail but thrusting movements and moaning sounds imply what they are doing. They also smoke marijuana together afterwards.
Content that may disturb
A woman breaks her thumb to free herself from handcuffs. When this doesn’t work, she bites her thump, severing it completely off. A severed thumb is shown afterwards on the bed.
Offensive language
This film contains offensive language, with words like “f**k” and “c**t” used in an aggressive manner.
When content stays with you:
We all have our boundaries, and it’s completely okay if something you’ve watched is weighing on your mind. If certain content lingers with you, consider having a chat with friends or whānau to debrief about what you’ve just seen. But if you’re still feeling affected, please reach out to any of the following helplines for support.
Further information
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Violence & coarse language
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