‘Nature is unforgiving’
In a Violent Nature is a 2024 Canadian horror film that depicts the enigmatic resurrection, rampage, and retribution of an undead monster in a remote wilderness.
Written and directed by Chris Nash making his feature directorial debut (shorts: Day of John, The Skinfection Trilogy and ‘Z is for Zygote’ from ABCs of Death 2). Produced by Shannon Hanmer and Peter Kuplowsky. Executive produced by Casey Walker.
The Shudder Films-IFC Films production stars Lauren-Marie Taylor, Andrea Pavlovic, Ry Barrett, Reece Presley, Liam Leone, Cameron Love, Sam Roulston, Charlotte Creaghan, Timothy Paul McCarthy and Alexander Oliver.
Reviews:
“When In A Violent Nature is firing, it does so on all cylinders. That makes it a great late-night watch for fans looking for something creative in the slasher genre. However, with a stalled pace and dialogue that sometimes runs too long, the film is better in concept than execution.” 6 out of 10, But Why Tho?
“It strikes a balance between bombast and a lighter touch, with each complimenting the other perfectly. Ry Barrett embodies the killer magnificently and Andrea Pavlovic gives the closest person we have to a protagonist some weight in her performance. The ending spells things out a bit too much, proving to be not quite as confident and patient as all the preceded it.” 8 out of 10, Collider
“There are no jump scares to be found here; instead, Johnny lumbers after his marks at a determined but joyless pace, owing perhaps to the fact he is actually a sort of zombie. He executes his work with professional detachment, even if the camera savors every moment of it. That said, depending on your tolerance for aimless traipsing, you might, indeed, find this one kinda dull.” The Daily Beast
“In a Violent Nature injects an arthouse sensibility into, of all things, the slasher film. The results are varied but one epic kill in particular should win over the more traditional horror crowd. ” ★★★ The Hollywood News
” …a mannered, meditative take on a well-worn genre, transforming its slice-and-dice scenarios into a disquisition on the problem and persistence of incomprehensible evil. It also heralds the arrival of a fresh voice in horror. Chris Nash’s feature debut eviscerates the inherited tropes of the slasher to expose the problem of evil.” Projected Vampires
” …to not deliver, and sell your initial premise short in the end, is a letdown that I hope gets fixed somewhere down the line. While I’m unsure that casual horror fans will appreciate the pace, die-hards are going to love this fresh spin on the Friday the 13th genre from a director with a clear passion for it.” ★★★ Punch Drunk Critics
“Nash wrings considerable suspense out of foregrounding his villain, as we watch him get closer and closer to his unsuspecting targets, and there’s a particularly well-sustained setpiece at a lake in which the filmmaker keeps us uneasy while showing very little. That kind of restraint is the exception, though, as the kills become very graphic very quickly, and the physical specifics of another early murder are outrageous enough to have you gasping and laughing at the same time.” Rue Morgue
” …In a Violent Nature, deconstructs the sub-genre before reconstructing it. Nash brilliantly blends European Art/Horror Cinema, video-game aesthetics, and next-level practical effects that would make the grandfathers of gore, Tom Savini, Greg Nicotero, and Howard Berger, unapologetically and/or unironically applaud their efforts.” Screen Anarchy
“Violent Nature isn’t exactly the scariest of screen horrors; it doesn’t have much in the way of humor or complexity. Yet its stripped-down approach to a familiar gist has a distinctiveness that is impressive, and is sure to please fans who are always up for a new slasher film — but wish most of them weren’t so interchangeable.” Variety
Release date:
In a Violent Nature premiered in the Midnight section at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2024. The movie will be released theatrically in the USA by IFC Films on May 31, 2024 and will stream on Shudder shortly after.
Sundance blurb:
“In his directorial feature debut, Chris Nash skillfully flips the slasher genre on its head by shifting the perspective from the victims to the killer with haunting effect. In a Violent Nature upends a formulaic mainstay featured within horror films for decades, minimizing familiar tropes to inject new life into the genre.
Instead of dwelling alongside promiscuous young people in a remote forest cabin before they get what’s coming to them, the film keeps their unsuspecting voices in the distance as we follow a maniacal murderer trudging through the woods to stalk his prey. Infusing inventive kills with generous amounts of gore, Nash is methodical in his approach, setting an ominous and ambient tone that will linger within your psyche for a long time to come.”
Trailer 1:
Trailer 2:
Technical specs:
1 hour 34 minutes
