Synopsis
In a Violent Nature is a Canadian horror movie set to release in 2024. Written and directed by Chris Nash, the movie takes unique approaches to the horror genre. Rather than portraying the aftermath of a tragedy, this film approaches the action in a noir style with atmospheric and meditative tension.
The action takes place in the deep forests of Ontario. A group of teenagers stumbles upon the resting place of a man named Johnny and then disturb it, which brings the partially decayed giant back to life. Johnny goes on to hunt each teen one by one.The camera captures Johnny’s journey through the wilderness in real time with long, silent tracking shots. As he cuts through the brush, the audience sees him walking, pausing to hear distant voices, and violently, yet almost artfully, killing those he hunts. The viewer is taken to Johnny’s strange and emotionless world where there is no music or score, just the echoing sounds of nature, ambient noise, and the sparse dialogue that accompanies the limber plot.
The plot may evolve with subtle dialogue, but a complex story reveals itself over time. Instead of relying on suspense-filled pauses, the framing, minimal dialogue, and ambient sounds paired with tension-filled silence build eerily and slowly. As he takes his revenge and collects the locket, Johnny’s origin, death, and the supernatural elements of his resurrection are gradually revealed.
Characters & Cast
Ry Barrett as Johnny marks him as the film’s silent antagonist. Johnny does not show emotion or speak, and instead, his body language reveals underlying menace, grief, and intention. Although he may be thought of as a slashers trope, he instead resembles a nature’s vengeful spirit whose movements are filled with certainty.
Kris – The film’s final girl is further characterized by Pavlovic’s performance as a teen who begins to grasp the consequences of their reckless actions. She softens the film’s harshly clinical atmosphere.
Supporting Cast – The group of teens contains a range of comedic and reckless archetypes from the slasher genre. Several characters among the group die in what are arguably the film’s most memorable and creative death scenes.
Direction and Cinematography
Chris Nash has previously worked in short-form horror. His feature-length debut demonstrates a fresh take in the genre. As is typical of slasher films, he employs a slow minimalistic style and utilizes long periods of silence and walking. His approach is reminiscent of meditative films rather than horror, which aligns more with the arthouse sensibility than the genre.
Pierce Derks, the cinematographer, captures the beauty and dread of the natural landscape. The film’s tensions are amplified by the 4:3 aspect ratio, which gives the film a boxy, vintage look while restricting the viewer’s sight. The forest, which is portrayed as vast and alive, takes on the role of a character—uncaring and indifferent.
The audio components of the film sparing absence of a musical score is just as important as the soundtrack. The soundtrack plays very ambient natural noises such as the wind and other very soft sounds. The sounds of nature are wind rustling and leaves and the more strenuous sounds of distant bird chirps, cracking of twigs, and breathing. The breathing is noticeably slower and more pronounced. All the sounds are grounded in nature. This choice yields more realism to the nature and makes the violent scenes even more brutal in the way that the sounds contrast nature’s serenity.
Sub themes:
- Breaking the slasher film genre
Instead of making a film based on survival, In a Violent Nature shifts the camera focus to the antagonist of the film. The audience experiences everything from the view of the antagonist and the characters in the movie are reduced to nameless characters until the killer decides to end their life. This film shifts the camera focus unto the killing and offers a very voyeuristic and rather discomforting way to approach the movie.
- Retribution from nature and the supernatural teachings
Johnny is not simply a killer, he is not a killer he is the almost supernatural essence of the forest’s revenge. He can come back to life easily and is simply triggered by human, in this case a stolen (by human hands) locket. This is akin to the manner that people devoiding nature without understanding of the consequences. The wilderness is the very essence in this film, not as a backdrop, but as an omnipresent force.
- The Pain of Stillness
Not having a musical score and minimizing dialogue draws the viewer’s focus to the silence in the world. The stillness is eerie and death does not come with the usual musical flourishes. Instead, we are presented with the disgusting sounds of flesh meeting metal and the snapping of bones. Every moment is heightened by silence.
- A Depiction of Boredom and a Sense of Accomplishment
The film showcases a significant amount of Johnny walking. These slow scenes have a somber stillness that transforms Johnny into the type of a reaper. Instead of fury, his presence is a type of duty of death and the force that it cannot be stopped.
Visual Effects and Gore
The film has an arthouse tone yet does not shy away from the addition of gore. The film is brutal, striking, and beautiful. Each kill is unique and executed with unapologetic creativity, earning them a well deserved spot in modern horror’s most memorable kills. Classic gore fans will appreciate the film for its artistry and care.
Reception and Legacy
In a Violent Nature started screening at many important film festivals, getting attention for its out-of-the-ordinary concept and its minimalist style. Its photography was praised as well as its original attempt at reinventing slasher tropes for a modern audience. Although critics did not embrace the film because of its slow pacing and lack of a conventional structure, they respected it as a bold experiment in the horror domain.
audience reaction was split as some found the pacing slow and tiresome .For some, however, the film’s philosophical, eerie, and atmospheric buildup was a welcome change. This approach has started as a movement in cult horror. Fans of so-called experimental horror have started to appreciate slow pacing and soon, a very dedicated cult was formed.
In conclusion, the film did well in box offices, especially considering the lack of a large budget. Its marketing strategies used the momentum being created from the film being advertised in ‘word of mouth’ style, this was important for the film to succeed. This film started a conversation around the narrative and its anti-hero.
Conclusion
In a Violent Nature is not a conventional slasher film. Rather, it is a profound and gradual examination of dying, the natural world, and the soft terror of a predestined outcome. The film breaks away from the norm of focusing on the victims by tracking the murderer, providing a deep and unsettling take on cinematic traditions and in turn, offering one of the most groundbreaking horrors in the last few years.
Not everyone will find it appealing, but for a niche audience prepared to accompany death on a meandering trek through the woods, In a Violent Nature offers a grim yet poetic exploration of violence, profound solitude, and unsettling tranquility.
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