A mass murderer is awakened and begins slashing his way through a group of camping twenty-somethings. Written and directed by Chris Nash, In a Violent Nature encompasses everything about its slasher inspiration but focuses on the killer’s POV, giving us one of the most unique horror films of the year.
Johnny has become the local legend of a small town — a story of a vengeful killer that makes for the perfect campfire tale to scare your friends. But when an unsuspecting camper takes a precious memento from his resting place, Johnny is resurrected and ready to slice and dice until he finds what’s his.
Clearly drawing inspiration from Friday the 13th with its own Jason Voorhees, In a Violent Nature manages to hold onto the formulas and tropes of classics alike but maintains a distinctive style.
An unexpected slow burn considering its slasher roots, the film takes us through the mundanity of these slasher icons as they lurk close by, stalking their victims. There’s a bit of subtle humor in this as you realize how bland an iconic villain’s life is between the slayings; almost paradoxical.
That slow burn also makes for an, at times, weirdly calming viewing experience, and I can certainly see why it earned the label “ambient slasher”. As we witness Johnny wander through the serene wilderness, there is a sense of tranquility. Nash captures it well with the peacefulness in the natural soundscapes and beauty of where the film was shot.
But do not let the pacing and quiet surroundings totally fool you. The film does not skimp on the gore or inventive deaths, with plenty of grossly impressive practical effects executed so seamlessly — including a gag that’ll have you looking at yoga poses differently. And overall, I think the film has some nice tense turns just as you’ve let your guard down.
It is tricky to reinvent the slasher wheel. We have been lucky to see some in recent years, but not necessarily in a way that creates a wildly different theatrical experience. In a Violent Nature does an impressive job of doing just that. It avoids bogging itself down with a ton of exposition, and the campers are just there for fodder, but it still gives us enough to understand but also leaves a bit for them to explore further — should a sequel be in the cards.
Even if a slow-burn horror is not your favorite, you can still enjoy how it exposes the monotony of a hatchet-slinging villain while simultaneously producing a pseudo-nature documentary with beautiful cinematography.
In a Violent Nature hits theaters in theaters May 31
Jordy Reviews It 
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