Film Review - In a Violent Nature
Images courtesy of Umbrella Entertainment.
In A Violent Nature is the new slasher film that dares to ask: what if Jason Voorhees could take you on a spirit journey? Chris Nash's experimental feature length debut is a hypnotic, almost meditative journey through the woods, where the line between predator and prey blurs in a serene sonnet of death and decay.
From the opening moments, where hushed voices in the Canadian wilderness speak of the "White Pines slaughter," Nash sets the stage for a horror film that is just as much about the quiet moments as it is about the bloodshed. The camera, locked in its vhs-like 4:3 aspect ratio, follows Johnny, our immortal slasher villain, with a patient, almost anthropological eye. It's as if we're watching a nature documentary, but instead of lions on the savannah, we're observing a vengeful spirit methodically murder teens.
Nash's direction is almost Mallickian at times, with long, mostly unbroken takes that float behind Johnny as he trudges through the forest. These stretches of hiking are oddly calming, a stark contrast to the visceral violence that punctuates the film, the camera following as if from a third person video game. It's Dead by Daylight by way of walking sim, a slash-em-up repackaged as a slow-burn character study. As you may have picked up, the film's inversion of the traditional slasher perspective is by far its most fascinating aspect. By spending so much time with Johnny, Nash forces us to see the world through his eyes, and to an extent, through the eyes of the land itself (as my good friend Emma pointed out in her review). We learn about his tragic backstory through campfire stories and subtle character beats. Johnny's face, melted and scarred, is rarely seen, and he never makes a sound beyond his trudging footsteps.
In A Violent Nature is not without its flaws. The pacing can be glacial, and at the same time it feels like a film of this approach could have done with fewer cuts. The execution leaves something to be desired, as the secondary characters fall victim to the cheesy writing and aggravating decisions typical of most slasher fare, culminating in a final girl ending that drags out far too long. But on the other hand, it does also deliver on what gorehounds crave most - gnarly kills - standouts including an over-the-head tracking shot and a scene involving yoga that I think deserves a spot in the pantheon of all time greatest dispatches.
For those willing to embrace its unique approach, Nash's film offers an off-kilter and strangely beautiful experience. It's a slasher film that lingers in the mind, a haunting reminder that sometimes, the most terrifying monsters are the ones we understand the least.
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In a Violent Nature is screening in select cinemas from August 1st. For tickets and more info, click here.