When you see a movie is a sponsorship of IFC Midnight and Shudder, there is a certain expectation for the film, an expectation that it is going to be something uneasy, disturbing, f-ked up, and downright gross. Now, with all the early reviews of Chris Nash’s In a Violent Nature, the expectations were through the roof; whether they delivered is the biggest question. Had the hype not been as large as it was, the film may have had a different impact on me, but there is certainly one kill that deserves every ounce of hype the film has been receiving.
Ry Barrett as Johnny in Chris Nash’s IN A VIOLENT NATURE. Photo Credit Pierce Derks. Photo courtesy of IFC Films/Shudder. An IFC Films & Shudder Release.
First and foremost, before even diving into a full review of this killer POV horror movie, I want to address exactly that. That sentiment, that statement immediately made me think I was going to see a Hardcore Henry (2015) horror movie, and despite the fact that the filmmaking style of Hardcore Henry made me ill, I was incredibly intrigued by that promise. Thankfully though, we’re not looking through the killer’s eyes, we’re just following the killer throughout the entire feature, sometimes with long takes and not exactly over their shoulder.
Ry Barrett as Johnny in Chris Nash’s IN A VIOLENT NATURE. Photo Credit Pierce Derks. Photo courtesy of IFC Films/Shudder. An IFC Films & Shudder Release.
The movie focuses on Johnny (Ry Barrett) our killer, who’s been resting for 60 years. His gold locket was removed by Kris (Andrea Pavolvic) who’s camping with her friends, Colt (Cameron Love), Aurora (Charlotte Creaghan), Troy (Liam Leone), Ehren (Sam Roulston), and Evan (Alexander Oliver). Unfortunately, the act of removing the locket has woken Johnny from his never-ending slumber and he is now determined to hunt the people who disturbed him and kill them all. With the friends parting ways, doing their own things, and seemingly getting under each other’s skin, no one is the wiser that they’re slowly being knocked off one by one until it truly is too late.
In a Violent Nature works because of how unrelenting it is, never giving the audience a chance to escape the sheer madness and gruesome content they’ve become exposed to. While there is truly only one kill that had me audibly gasp and cheer with joy for how brutal it absolutely was, the rest just linger and sit there for way too long, making it uncomfortable. While seasoned horror fans may not have their stomach doing knots and churning up their previous meal, it certainly is uncomfortable watching Johnny either smash someone’s face in, decapitate them, or have them cut into bits for much longer than we’ve typically seen on screen. This is not to say that these kills last 30, 45 seconds, but the audience is watching Johnny murder these people violently for minutes. Without spoiling anything, the murder on the cliff is arguably the gnarliest kill on a film that wouldn’t be considered snuff. If one were to make a kill to impress Art the Clown from Terrifier (2016), this would be it.
Ry Barrett as Johnny in Chris Nash’s IN A VIOLENT NATURE. Photo Credit Pierce Derks. Photo courtesy of IFC Films/Shudder. An IFC Films & Shudder Release.
Chris Nash tackles both directing and writing his first feature, certainly leaving a mark with this outing. His direction is impeccable and is going to haunt audiences, and for the more tamed horror viewers, their meals may be lost after viewing the feature. While the description of being from the POV of the killer is a little inaccurate, as there are times the audience is far away from the killer, or the killer is out of sight, it never is from anyone else’s perspective. Thankfully it did not adapt the Hardcore Henry film style and did not create a motion sickness effect. However, In a Violent Nature truly shines with Ry Barrett (Cult Hero) being the relentless killing machine. There is a meticulous purpose to his actions, and while not a word is uttered, this is understood and demonstrated throughout the film. The rest of the cast, used sparingly as they’re slowly knocked off one by one, are also great and excellently executed (no pun intended). In a Violent Nature is a slow burn murderous rampage that takes viewers on the uneasy journey for one deranged unkillable machine’s search to return to rest.
In theaters May 31st, 2024.
For more information, head either to the official In a Violent Nature IFC Films webpage or theatrical release website.
Final Score: 4 out of 5.
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Categories: Home Release, In Theaters, Recommendation, Reviews
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