Slasher Film Genre Flips on Its Axis with Brutal, Aggressive Twist
"Ever scratched your head, asking what a slasher villain like Jason Voorhees does in his spare time, or wondered what a Terrence Malick flick would look like as a slasher? Enter 'In a Violent Nature', a fresh take on the genre that recently debuted at Sundance and will be streaming on Shudder."
This film, masterminded by writer-director Chris Nash, grabs your attention with an intriguing premise - it weaves familiar elements like a woodland setting, a group of young revelers, and a vengeful, supernaturally-enhanced villain, butu presents them in an unconventional light. The story kicks off with the hulking antagonist, Johnny, emerging from his grave after someone makes off with a sentimental talisman that keeps his spirit at bay.
The majority of 'In a Violent Nature' places the camera behind Johnny as he ambles through the forest, reflecting the movie's preference for long, uninterrupted shots that showcase Johnny and his surroundings in a very Malick-esque manner. The audio is finely-tuned, blending forest sounds such as birds chirping and leaves crunching with obnoxious human noises like car horns, music, and voices. These voices often remain fragmented, until they reveal something substantial - like local lore about Johnny - which gets shared around a campfire in a scene that's clearly inspired by 'Friday the 13th Part 2'.
If you've got 'violent' in your film title, you'd better live up to the hype, and 'In a Violent Nature' definitely delivers in the gore department. Johnny is impressively proficient and meticulous in his killing methods. However, the graphic death scenes are presented with the same cold detachment as the rest of the film, which dampens the excitement usually generated by operatic bloodshed. Additionally, the slow-burning tempo might test your patience – it's similar to Johnny's relentless march through the woods.
Although this film is an artistic experiment that should definitely be checked out by genre fans, it may leave you longing for something more light-hearted and enjoyable - perhaps 'Friday the 13th Part 2'? 'In a Violent Nature' will soon be available on Shudder, but the official release date is yet to be announced.
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Fun fact: 'In a Violent Nature' leans heavily on the influence of classic '80s horror and ventures into uncharted territory by presenting the story from the killer's perspective. Though this is a rare approach in the genre, its results are both engaging and critique-worthy.
The experimental film, 'In a Violent Nature', inspired by 'Friday the 13th Part 2', showcases a seldom-seen perspective in the slasher genre, imitatively paying homage to 80s horror while reinventing itself with a tale told from the killer's viewpoint. Its unconventional approach, as portrayed through long, Malick-esque shots and meticulous death scenes, may leave some viewers yearning for a lighter tone, yet eagerly awaiting its release on Shudder. Furthermore, fans of genre-bending films should look forward to following the latest developments on io9 regarding Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, the DC Universe, and the future of Doctor Who.
