When a locket is removed from a collapsed fire tower in the woods that entombs the rotting corpse of Johnny, a vengeful spirit spurred on by a horrific 60-year old crime, his body is resurrected and becomes hellbent on retrieving it. The undead golem hones in on the group of vacationing teens responsible for the theft and proceeds to methodically slaughter them one by one in his mission to get it back — along with anyone in his way.
REVIEW:
In the dense, whispering woods of Ontario, Chris Nash’s “In a Violent Nature” emerges not just as another entry in the slasher genre, but as a contemplative, almost meditative exploration of violence and vengeance. This film, with its deliberate pacing and haunting visuals, feels like a fever dream where the lines between horror and art blur seamlessly.
The premise is deceptively simple: a locket, disturbed from its resting place beneath a fire tower, awakens Johnny, a vengeful spirit with a penchant for methodical slaughter. What follows is a series of gruesome killings, each more inventive than the last, as Johnny hunts down the group of teens who unwittingly unleashed him. Yet, Nash’s approach to this familiar narrative is anything but conventional.
Filmed in a vintage 4:3 aspect ratio, the camera often lingers behind Johnny, capturing his relentless march through the forest with an almost anthropological eye. These long, unbroken takes, reminiscent of Terrence Malick’s work, lend the film a serene, almost hypnotic quality. It’s as if we’re watching a nature documentary, albeit one where the predator is a disfigured, undead killer.
The film’s strength lies in its ability to subvert expectations. There are no cheap jump scares or predictable moments of high tension. Instead, Nash invites us to sit with the discomfort, to marinate in the quiet horror of Johnny’s existence. The result is a film that feels both timeless and timely, a reflection on the cyclical nature of violence and the scars it leaves behind.
Another of the movie’s strengths lies in its visual storytelling. Johnny’s backstory, hinted at through campfire tales and the tools of his vengeance, adds depth to his character without explicit exposition. The logging and labor undercurrents in Johnny’s past ground the supernatural elements in a gritty, real-world context. However, this nuanced approach can sometimes feel more like an art installation than a horror movie.
Nash’s focus on the killer’s perspective is a bold move that pays off in creating a more meditative horror experience. Yet, this approach also means that the film lacks the traditional scares and tension that many horror fans crave. The absence of dialogue and the film’s brutal pacing can make it feel more like a chore than a thrill ride.
“In a Violent Nature” is not without its flaws. The pacing, while deliberate, can at times feel sluggish, and the lack of dialogue may alienate some viewers. But for those willing to embrace its unique rhythm, the film offers a rich, rewarding experience. It’s a slasher film that dares to ask deeper questions, to probe the dark corners of the human psyche.
In the end, “In a Violent Nature” is a bold, audacious work that redefines what a horror film can be. It’s a testament to Nash’s vision and a reminder that even in the most violent of natures, there is beauty to be found.
“In a Violent Nature” gets a 3.5/5 or a B+. It’s streaming on Shudder.
CREDITS:
Directed by
Chris Nash
Written by
Chris Nash
Produced by
- Peter Kuplowsky
- Shannon Hanmer
Starring
- Ry Barrett
- Andrea Pavlovic
- Cameron Love
- Reece Presley
- Liam Leone
- Charlotte Creaghan
- Lea Rose Sebastianis
- Sam Roulston
- Alexander Oliver
- Lauren Taylor
Cinematography
Pierce Derks
Edited by
Alex Jacobs
Production
companies
- Shudder Films
- Zygote Pictures
- Low Sky Productions
Distributed by
- IFC Films
- Shudder
Release dates
- January 24, 2024(Sundance)
- May 31, 2024(United States)
Running time
94 minutes[1]
Country
Canada
Language
English
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