The film opens with a static long take of the woods. After some time, a man (Ry Barrett) literally digs himself up from beneath the wet foliage in the ruins of a small hut. It’s clear from the opening moments of writer/director Chris Nash’s feature directorial debut that the film is doing something different from other backwoods slashers. The face is obscured or he is shot from behind, but the exposed skin looks disfigured and unnatural.
Chris Nash and His Different Approach
Chris Nash‘s first feature film takes a minimalist approach to storytelling, focusing on the POV of an Unstoppable Killing Machine. Audience members at The Ray Theater were treated to a horror film that checks off every box the ultimate cinephile would expect and want from a slasher in Chris Nash’s ‘In a Violent Nature’, which screened at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. But it also defies those checked boxes at the same time.
The Killer’s Unique Perspective
In a change of pace and reversal of roles from the typical slasher narrative style, viewers found themselves walking alongside the killer instead of the victims, shedding new light on a perspective not often seen in many horror films. Naturally, there is a Final Girl (Andrea Pavlovic as Kris). But as we’re almost entirely locked into the undead killer’s perspective…
Visual and Technical Execution
While not all the gory prosthetic FX entirely convince, Nash’s penchant for long sustained shots encompass some coups of seamless transition between visibly intact actor and gruesome aftermath. This is evident when after a locket is removed from a dilapidated fire tower, the rotting corpse of an undead killer is resurrected. There are moments where you can’t help but appreciate his attention to logistical detail in fake killing.
The Audience Reaction
Despite its novel approach, ‘In a Violent Nature’ has mixed reviews, with some audience members praising its uniqueness while others criticize it for not entirely coming together. Quotes like I was shook and admit I silently screamed and forgot to breathe for a second. Sorry, not sorry, that was some twisted shit
, highlight how divisive the film’s approach has been.
A Divisive Debut
‘In a Violent Nature’ seems aimed at a unique audience segment—those who appreciate experimental films more than traditional slashers. As Nash grew up on slashers but wanted to create something different, which he shared over Q&A sessions post-screening: This is the brain baby of Chris Nash and his first feature length film
. For viewers looking for something conventional, this may not be their cup of tea.
‘In A Violent Nature’ premiered at Sundance Film Festival and is now playing in theaters since May 31st, 2024. It will release to Shudder later this year. Time will tell if it finds its niche audience or remains an interesting yet underwhelming experiment.
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