In a Violent Nature

In a Violent Nature
Teaser poster
Directed byChris Nash
Written byChris Nash
Produced by
CinematographyPierce Derks
Edited byAlex Jacobs
Production
companies
Distributed byShudder
Release date
  • January 24, 2024 (2024-01-24) (Sundance)
Running time
94 minutes
CountryCanada
LanguageEnglish

In a Violent Nature is a 2024 Canadian slasher film written and directed by Chris Nash. Described as an "ambient slasher",[1][2] the film follows a mute killer who targets a group of teenagers in the Ontario wilderness, with the events observed largely from the killer's perspective.[3][4]

In a Violent Nature premiered on January 22, 2024, at the Sundance Film Festival, as part of the festival's "Midnight" program.[1] It is set to be theatrically released in the United States by IFC Films on May 31, 2024, and then on the streaming service Shudder later that year.[5]

Cast

  • Ry Barrett as Johnny[2][4]
  • Andrea Pavlovic as Kris
  • Cameron Love as Colt
  • Reece Presley as The Ranger
  • Liam Leone as Troy
  • Charlotte Creaghan as Aurora
  • Lea Rose Sebastianis as Brodie
  • Sam Roulston as Ehren
  • Alexander Oliver as Evan
  • Lauren-Marie Taylor as The Woman
  • Timothy Paul McCarthy as Chuck

Style

Commentators have drawn comparisons between In a Violent Nature and slow cinema.[1][2] Nash drew inspiration for the film's style from the Gus Van Sant-directed films Gerry (2002), Elephant (2003) and Last Days (2005), which Nash characterizes as "slower, more methodical, more deliberate and follow characters through a scene."[1] Nash also cited the work of director Terrence Malick as an influence.[3]

In a Violent Nature emphasizes static long take shots, and features no musical score.[6]

Production

Filming

Filming initially took place in the Kawartha Lakes area of Central Ontario, Canada, in 2021, but Nash later recalled that the locale "just felt like it wasn't hitting the right note for us".[1] The film was ultimately shot in Algoma District, Ontario, near Sault Ste. Marie.[1]

Release

In a Violent Nature had its world premiere on January 22, 2024, at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, as part of the festival's "Midnight" program.[1] The film is set to be theatrically released in the United States by IFC Films on May 31, 2024,[7] and then on the Shudder streaming service later that year.[5]

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 93% based on 30 reviews, with an average rating of 6.6/10.[8]

Variety's Dennis Harvey wrote that the film's "stripped-down approach to a familiar gist has a distinctiveness that is impressive, and is sure to please fans who are always up for a new slasher film—but wish most of them weren't so interchangeable."[4] Cheryl Eddy of Gizmodo called it "a fascinating artistic experiment and genre fans should definitely give it a look. But it may also make you wish you were watching a traditional slasher—for something more fun and entertaining, may we suggest Friday the 13th Part 2?—instead."[6]

Michael Gingold of Rue Morgue wrote that the film's style "isn't quite a reinvention of the form, but it creates a different and very effective kind of tension."[9] David Ehrlich of IndieWire gave the film a grade of "C", writing that the film "derives its semi-hypnotic power from the disconnect it creates between the sheer movieness of what happens and the somnambulant nonchalance with which it all goes down. The effect is interesting in theory, but largely unsatisfying in execution (pun very much intended)."[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Gheciu, Alex Nino (January 22, 2024). "Sundance slasher In A Violent Nature puts northern Ontario front and centre". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d Ehrlich, David (January 24, 2024). "'In a Violent Nature' Review: A Gory, High-Concept Slasher More Interesting in Theory Than in Execution". IndieWire. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Earl, William (January 18, 2024). "How 'In a Violent Nature' Director Chris Nash Redefined Slashers With an Ultra-Gory Throwback That Evokes Terrence Malick". Variety. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Harvey, Dennis (January 22, 2024). "'In a Violent Nature' Review: A Fresh Canadian Spin on Slasher Conventions". Variety. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Lang, Brent (December 6, 2023). "Shudder Lands Slasher Film 'In a Violent Nature' Ahead of Sundance Premiere (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Eddy, Cheryl (January 23, 2024). "In a Violent Nature Turns the Slasher Genre on Its Head". Gizmodo. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  7. ^ "See a slasher movie from the killer's POV in first trailer for 'In a Violent Nature'". EW.com. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  8. ^ "In a Violent Nature". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  9. ^ Gingold, Michael (January 23, 2024). "Sundance '24 Movie Review: "In a Violent Nature" Takes a Different, Überbloody Look at a Forest Slasher". Rue Morgue. Retrieved January 24, 2024.

External links