This past weekend marked the arrival of the summer’s first thrilling drive-in movie, Dangerous Animals. This film introduces innovative and spine-chilling twists to the classic killer shark genre, captivating audiences with its unique storyline.

Starring Hassie Harrison as Zephyr, a fearless young surfer, the plot unfolds as she becomes the target of Tucker, a psychotic captain of a shark-sighting tour boat. Haunted by a traumatic shark attack from his childhood, Tucker has turned to a life of crime, deriving pleasure from sacrificing young women to the sharks while documenting their terror on camera.

Interestingly, Tucker reveals that the sharks are not the true villains—they prefer to avoid human encounters. Instead, he emerges as the real predator, using blood and chum to lure the sharks into doing his bidding. Zephyr’s relentless struggle against this horrifying fate drives the narrative, making it essential to experience the film without revealing too much of its thrilling plot.

Jai Courtney delivers a mesmerizing performance as Tucker, embodying a blend of charm and menace that puts his victims at ease before unveiling his sinister intentions. While he may not receive an Oscar nomination for this role, his performance is unforgettable. In an ideal world, the clip showcased at the ceremony would be his cocky, drunken celebration dance after a murder scene, set to the classic tune “Evie (Let Your Hair Hang Down)” by Stevie Wright.

Dangerous Animals serves as the perfect late-night viewing choice, especially as the second feature of a thrilling drive-in double feature. It was presented this way during its recent screening, but it is also available for indoor viewing—so don’t miss this cinematic experience in whichever format you can!

While 2023 has offered a plethora of exciting films to watch on the big outdoor screen, there’s a unique magic at the drive-in. Discovering a low-budget, underrated film that surpasses expectations in terms of wit and humor adds to the allure of the drive-in experience, making it unforgettable.

Read More: The Definitive, if Unsurprising, Ranking of the Jaws Movies

Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan‘s Sinners was phenomenal but arguably overqualified for the title of drive-in movie of the year; this context helps clarify the situation. Similarly, films like Final Destination Bloodlines, Thunderbolts, Ballerina, and Novocaine also fit this notion, although Novocaine might currently hold a bronze medal position.

Currently, the hysterically raunchy comedy One of Them Days is vying for second place, delivering some of the most shocking laughs akin to those in the underappreciated Strays from 2023. However, keep an eye out for Sisu 2. If it graces the drive-ins before the winter closure, it could make a strong bid for a top position.

To discover where Dangerous Animals is screening near you, visit the movie’s official website. Keep in mind that drive-ins are often not included in these listings, so it’s wise to search for the nearest drive-in theaters and check their individual websites for showtimes.

Watch the ‘Dangerous Animals’ Trailer