I watched In a Violent Nature and I hated it. 1.5/5
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In a Violent Nature aims to bring something new to the classic slasher formula, but it ends up feeling more like a poorly assembled collection of horror clichés than a refreshing take on the genre. The movie centers on a supernatural killer named Johnny, a vengeful spirit risen from the dead after a group of friends inadvertently disturbs his final resting place. From a cursed locket to gruesome murders, the setup is ripe for suspense and thrills, but the film’s execution leaves much to be desired. While it may satisfy gore fans with its brutal kill scenes, In a Violent Nature falls short in almost every other respect.
The movie kicks off with some promise as a group of friends discovers an old fire tower and finds a locket, unknowingly reawakening Johnny. This cursed object, combined with Johnny’s tragic backstory as the mistreated son of a local merchant, suggests we’re in for a layered horror story with a supernatural edge. Unfortunately, In a Violent Nature never fully commits to building atmosphere or character depth. Instead, the plot quickly devolves into a repetitive and uninspired series of chase-and-kill sequences that lack any real suspense or tension. Rather than gradually escalating the horror, the movie dives headfirst into the gore, making it feel like an empty, over-the-top bloodbath.
The characters are where In a Violent Nature suffers the most. There’s Troy, who pockets the locket without a second thought, and Ehren, who gives us the obligatory exposition about Johnny’s gruesome past. But beyond their roles as walking plot devices and eventual victims, none of the characters are given any real depth or personality. We’re left with cardboard cutouts who exist solely to meet grisly ends, which might work if the movie didn’t take itself so seriously. Sadly, In a Violent Nature doesn’t seem to realize it’s a B-movie at heart, treating every character interaction with a gravity that feels forced and hollow. Without any reason to care about these people, their deaths lose any emotional weight, making the movie’s reliance on gore feel cheap rather than shocking.
The movie does attempt to set itself apart with some unique visuals. Director Nash crafts a grim, dreamlike atmosphere that gives certain scenes an eerie, surreal quality. Unfortunately, this atmosphere is undercut by clunky pacing and incoherent editing choices that disrupt the flow. Scenes of Johnny stalking his victims through foggy woods or emerging from a lake have potential, but the effect is ruined by awkward cuts and drawn-out shots that feel more like filler than genuine tension-building. Instead of creating suspense, In a Violent Nature becomes tedious, and the scares feel telegraphed rather than surprising.
The kills themselves, while creative, become repetitive and lose impact. Johnny’s weapon of choice changes from scene to scene—he drowns one victim, uses dragging hooks on another, and eventually wields an axe. But while the variety of methods should add to the horror, it comes across more like a checklist than a series of genuinely terrifying moments. The use of practical effects is admirable, and there’s certainly a gruesome attention to detail in some scenes. However, when every kill is just a slightly more gruesome rehash of the last, the film’s shock value wears thin.
One of the most frustrating aspects of In a Violent Nature is its half-hearted attempt to flesh out Johnny’s backstory. His tragic death and his father’s murder at the hands of the townsfolk could have added an interesting layer, perhaps even making him a sympathetic villain. But these elements are touched upon so briefly that they feel like an afterthought. Rather than exploring what could make Johnny an interesting character, the movie reduces him to a standard, mindless killer. The locket, which supposedly binds Johnny’s soul, is also disappointingly underutilized. It’s a neat concept, but one that ultimately has little relevance to the plot beyond being a convenient plot device in the final act.
The climax, much like the rest of the film, is as predictable as it is underwhelming. The ranger’s explanation of the locket’s significance to Johnny’s spirit is a clear setup for the final showdown, but by the time we get there, it’s hard to feel invested. The inevitable face-off between Johnny and the remaining survivors lacks suspense or creativity, as Johnny overpowers each character in quick, anticlimactic fashion. The ending feels rushed and even nonsensical, with one character escaping only to face a bizarre encounter on the road that adds nothing to the story.
In the end, In a Violent Nature is a forgettable horror movie that fails to live up to its potential. While it has some interesting ideas and the occasional striking visual, it squanders them with a lackluster plot, thin characters, and an over-reliance on gore as a substitute for real scares. Fans of slasher films might find some enjoyment in the brutality of the kill scenes, but for everyone else, this is a tedious watch that lacks the suspense or originality needed to stand out.
If you’re a horror fan looking for something fresh or even just a compelling twist on familiar tropes, In a Violent Nature isn’t it. There’s plenty of blood and gore, but little substance, leaving you with the sense that the movie could have been much more than just another slasher with a few artsy visuals.