Nature is Unforgiving.
Nature is Unforgiving.
Chris Nash makes a bold directorial debut with In a Violent Nature, a suspenseful and gory tale that is equal parts homage and satire. Told from the killer’s POV, Nash takes the ingredients we love from the genre but cleverly subverts its tropes and reimagines the classic formula we’re used to. Juxtaposing beautiful scenery with brutal kills, the film is both striking and unsettling, and while every element doesn’t necessarily pan out, it still makes for a thrilling viewing experience.
Canadian slasher film In a Violent Nature follows a group of teens who uncover a mysterious locket, unwittingly unleashing the vengeful spirit of Johnny, a grotesquely deformed killer driven by a shocking 60-year-old tragedy. Resurrected and fueled by rage, Johnny embarks on a relentless and gruesome quest to reclaim the locket, leaving a trail of blood through the remote woods.
Starring Andrea Pavlovic, Cameron Love, Ry Barrett, and Sam Roulston, In a Violent Nature flips the script by telling the story through the killer’s eyes. While this unique approach offers a fresh take, it sometimes drags with excessively long forest walking sequences. Unfortunately, this structure also results in one-dimensional characters, reducing them to mere targets for our villain Johnny. The story is standard genre fare, but it offers a pragmatic view of how a real serial killer would operate in this setting. A brief cameo by Lauren-Marie Taylor (Friday the 13th Part 2) feels like a fun nod, but also leaves the audience wanting more, perhaps setting the stage for a sequel. Despite its flaws, In a Violent Nature is an ambitious take on the slasher genre.
Where this slow-burn film truly excels is with its breathtaking cinematography. Tranquil nature landscapes are abundant, mixing the sounds of crickets and birds with the tough stomping of the killer’s boots through fields. The absence of music and dialogue only adds to the immersive experience creating an eerie sense of realism. Johnny’s silent movements through the picturesque landscape are chilling, evoking the sense of a predator lurking in the wild, waiting to strike. His costume is also effective, draped in chains and toting hooks and an axe, he wears an antique firefighter mask found in a park ranger’s office. Amid the atmosphere, we’re presented with some of the most memorable kill scenes in recent years, masterfully crafted with practical effects. These grisly sequences deliver graphic and visceral moments that will make your jaw drop.
In a Violent Nature is a daring reinvention of the slasher genre despite some limitations in character development and plot. The deliberate pacing, while slow at times, helps to build suspense and amplifies the impact of the gore segments. As the box office faces uncertain times, horror fans need to support innovative, lower-budget films like this one, that bring new ideas to the table. The film’s willingness to try something new deserves props.
