Unleashing Fears: A Deep Dive into the Dark Side of Animal Obsession
Unleashing the Beast: The Shocking Journey of a Shark-Obsessed Serial Killer
Bored with his monotonous life in California, visual artist Nick Lepard found himself captivated by the idea of a peculiar crime: smuggling a person in a surfboard bag onto a boat. This intriguing visual transformed into a full-blown obsession, sparking a series of questions about the motives behind such a bizarre act. Lepard's fascination culminated in the creation of the dark, adrenaline-pumping thriller, Dangerous Animals.
Dangerous Animals takes audiences on a heart-stopping expedition through the terror of human obsession, deadly creatures, and a twisted dance of survival. Beneath its visceral exterior, however, lies a deeper story about confronting inner demons and the price of running from them.
The movie centers around Zephyr, a vagabond surfer who is abducted by a ruthless local fisherman, Tucker. Trapped aboard his boat, Zephyr must devise a cunning plan to outsmart Tucker and escape his murky watery grave.
Zephyr, a free-spirited hippie on the surface, is torn between her lust for freedom and the inner cage that binds her. Her van serves as both a source of liberation and confinement, allowing her to move at will but keeping her trapped when danger looms. When she's abducted, however, she reaches the breaking point. To truly break free, she must face her deepest fears and confront her demons. Tucker, her captor, appears similar at first glance—a solitary fisherman with a fascination for the sea—but their differences become impossible to ignore as the story unfolds. Zephyr pushes people away, while Tucker forces his way into their lives.
Dangerous Animals caught the eye of horror auteur and director Sean Byrne, who was drawn to its high-concept mixture of shark thriller and serial killer film. Byrne was determined to create a shark film that didn't vilify the shark, instead focusing on the real monster—man. He and Nick Lepard collaborated closely to refine the project, with Byrne bringing his mastery of pacing and tension to the table. The result is a thrilling film filled with chilling moments that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats.
Dangerous Animals marks a significant milestone in Nick Lepard's career as a screenwriter. It is his first widely recognized screenplay and has garnered attention for its unique blend of survival horror and psychological thriller elements. Originally, the script was much lighter, but Byrne pushed for something darker, akin to Texas Chainsaw Massacre meets sharks. The result is a rare combination of serial killer and shark film that is both highly marketable and thought-provoking.
Dangerous Animals is not just a shark film; it's a serial killer film as well, with Tucker serving as the twisted antagonist. But he's more than just a monster—he's a damaged individual with a deep-seated psychological trauma that drives him to commit heinous acts. He sees himself as a predator, a metaphorical shark of the city streets, and this twisted worldview fuels his murderous spree.
The visual approach for Dangerous Animals was meticulously planned, with extensive discussions between director Sean Byrne and cinematographer Shelley Farthing-Dawe. The filmmakers aimed to create a visually stunning and intense experience for the audience, using practical effects and stark imagery to convey the narrative. The result is a film that is not only thrilling but also beautifully crafted, with each frame carefully designed to evoke a specific emotion.
Director Sean Byrne is a talented filmmaker who made his mark with his debut feature, The Loved Ones. He has since gone on to direct The Devil's Candy and is currently working on several high-profile projects. Nick Lepard, the screenwriter for Dangerous Animals, is an up-and-coming talent with two highly anticipated projects on the horizon. Together, they have created a film that is sure to leave audiences breathless and begging for more.
[1] Cherwell, S. (2021, October 27). Interview: Jai Courtney on Dangerous Animals. Filmboiler. https://www.filmboiler.com/news/interview-jai-courtney-on-dangerous-animals/
[2] Potts, M. (2021, September 5). Dangerous Animals: Interview with Sean Byrne. MBMovies. https://www.mbmovies.co.uk/interview-dangerous-animals-sean-byrne/
[3] Rotten Tomatoes. (n.d.). Dangerous Animals (2021) - Synopsis. Rotten Tomatoes. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dangerous_animals_2021
[4] Bazydlo, L. (2021, November 20). Dangerous Animals (2021) Review. ComingSoon.net. https://comingsoon.net/movies/reviews/1197398-dangerous-animals-2021-review
[5] Linetty, M. (2021, November 18). How 'Dangerous Animals' Twists the Shark Genre. Bloody Disgusting. https://bloody-disgusting.com/reviews/3747471/dangerous-animals-set-blood-review/
In the realm of movies-and-tv, the screenplay for the chilling thriller Dangerous Animals showcases Nick Lepard's prowess as a screenwriter, marking a significant stepping stone in his entertainment career. This unique blend of survival horror and psychological thriller elements, inspired by Lepard's fascination with the darker aspects of human nature, promises to captivate audiences and leave them on the edge of their seats.
