In January, the Sundance Film Festival kicks off the new year with buzzy crowd-pleasers, indie dramas, and a host of other films that send the film community in a tizzy. One of the buzziest “midnight” program films was the horror hit In a Violent Nature, a film that defies its genre and is somewhere between the ethereal nature landscapes of a Malick film (The Tree of Life; A Hidden Life), and all the guts and gore of the best slasher films the genre has to offer.
L-R: Actor Ry Barrett and director/writer Chris Nash on the set of IN A VIOLENT NATURE. Photo courtesy of IFC Films/Shudder. An IFC Films & Shudder Release.
The home release is packed with literal hours of behind-the-scenes footage and commentaries. One of the most interesting bits of information gleaned was that this film was completely filmed in 2021 with a different cast and a few different key crew roles. It was marked with equipment mishaps, weather issues, and the location, in Central Ontario, just “wasn’t hitting the right note for us,” explained the film’s director Chris Nash (ABCs of Death 2). So, with the same budget, not a new budget mind you, but the same one they had already been using on the first attempt, they shot the film again, this time with the cast you see now, this time in the more rugged (and insect-filled) Algoma Region of Ontario. A hard decision to make, but one that ultimately was best in service to the film. They still had to battle harsh elements and trillions of mosquitos, but the pressure of adversity definitely yielded a diamond in the rough.
If you’re looking for a spoiler-free review, head over to the initial theatrical release review from EoM Contributor Justin Waldman. However, since In a Violent Nature has been on digital since June, hit streaming on Shudder Friday, September 13th, and it now has a physical home release, there be spoilers ahead!
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, In a Violent Nature is a slasher film; it’s playing with and challenging the genre, but, at its heart, it wants to rip your throat out, preferably through the back of your head. Nash and company build the mythos of Johnny (Ry Barrett) by dropping bits about his past, his endless chase to get back his stolen locket, and, best of all, one of the greatest modern slasher masks and weapons. Add some seriously f-cked up kills to his resume and this will not only endear fans of the genre to this film even more, it will, and has, develop a cult following.
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.
It’s not just the idea of following the POV of the killer, it’s using inspiration from “slow cinema,” not using any score to make it feel almost like a documentary. There is definitely a plot, but you have to pick up the clues as they come. The severe mundanity of chopping up a victim is both brilliant and brutal. What happens when the leg gets stuck in the machine? Seeing a slasher villain problem-solve, stalk, and kill with a cold and blasé attitude is almost as terrifying as the slow pull back of a shower curtain.
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 yoga kill and the saw mill kills stand out as ruthless and stomach churning in a film filled with brutal kills. Seeing the yoga kill coming together in the special features is worth the price of the collector’s edition alone.
These decisions from the filmmakers are what make this film an absolute must-see. If you’re a fan of the horror genre, a fan of gore or slashers, this film is making waves and paving the way for new takes, which is always welcome.
In July at San Diego Comic-Con, a sequel was announced, so it seems that Johnny will live on, no doubt destined to join the ranks of slasher icons like Freddy, Jason, and Michael Myers.
L-R: Director/writer Chris Nash and actor Ry Barrett on the set of IN A VIOLENT NATURE. Photo courtesy of IFC Films/Shudder. An IFC Films & Shudder Release.
The highlight for me on the collector’s edition Blu-ray, aside from the fantastic extras, was the 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix. The film relies heavily on the ambient noise of nature, so hearing the birds or the wind move through the trees really adds to the whole experience. As Johnny tromps and stalks through the woods, he catches conversations at a distance which are clear and crisp, really providing a feel for the voyeuristic aspects of Johnny’s kills. The video quality is standard; if you have a high-def television, it will certainly look great, but the film already has a fantastic look. Now, if only Shudder would release a 4K version . . .
The special features are the main reason to grab this physical release. Dead in the Water is an hour and half documentary of Nash and his crew filming the first movie, the ups and downs of filming on location, and dealing with malfunctioning equipment, losing the sun before getting a shot off. If you dig looking behind the scenes, it’s fantastic.
In a Violent Nature Special Features:
- Film Commentaries
- Storyboard Kill Galleries
- Dead in the Water: The Attempted Making of the Original “In a Violent Nature”
- The Yoga Kill: Candid On-Set Footage
- Scenes from the first Version of In a Violent Nature
- Sundance Video Diary
- Behind the Scenes
Available on Blu-ray October 15th, 2024.
For more information, head to the official IFC Films In a Violent Nature webpage.
To purchase, head to Amazon.
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Categories: Films To Watch, Home Release, Recommendation
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