Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

In a Violent Nature Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 26, 2024

If one squints hard enough, there’s kinda, sorta a “Friday the 13th” sequel happening in “In a Violent Nature.” Writer/director Chris Nash (who contributed to 2014’s “ABCs of Death 2”) certainly isn’t pursuing a fan film with the project, which follows, quite simply, a masked killer made of unstoppable magic looking to seek revenge on a collection of young people who’ve dared to spoil the lasting memory of his mother. Sounds pretty Jason Voorhees-y, but Nash hopes to put his own stamp on slasher cinema with the picture, which isn’t a slam-bang offering of suspense, but something very stripped down and hostile…when it wants to be. “In a Violent Nature” is not for the impatient, as Nash presents a slow-burn study of a Movie Maniac’s menace, delivering a feature that takes its time with nearly everything it offers. It’s almost a test of endurance during travel sequences, as the helmer looks to subvert the subgenre and also deliver hugely with acts of barbarity.

In the woods, Ehren (Sam Roulston), Troy (Liam Leone), and Colt (Cameron Love) are three friends looking for a little trouble while exploring the area during a cabin getaway. What they find is a gold locket that isn’t for the taking, but they do anyway, disturbing the long rest of Johnny (Ry Barrett), who emerges out of the ground, ready to take back the necklace. Long ago, Johnny was a developmentally disabled child savagely murdered by loggers in the area, and now he’s a killing machine, singularly driven to claim the locket, which once belonged to his mother. As Johnny tours the area, he encounters those who foolishly try to stop him, making his way to the cabin, where the young people have retired for drinking, drugs, and storytelling, exposing them to the sheer brutality of the monster.

“In a Violent Nature” is made up of long takes from Nash, who uses such deliberate editing to generate an unusual mood for the effort. There’s no pounding of suspense, no fierce battle for survival. The endeavor is mostly observational, with the sounds of characters conversing in the distance used to fill out what little here passes for story. And Johnny’s reign of terror doesn’t materialize, as the bulky menace is mostly photographed in travel mode after he emerges from the earth. The camera tracks his movement, in real time, as the killer marches from position to position, dealing with those looking to impede his progress. It’s a mission movie in many ways, as Johnny is simply out to retrieve a locket that means everything to him, and “In a Violent Nature” presents this trek across nature. Johnny may not be the most driven of monsters, but the ghoul definitely gets his steps in during the run time.

As Johnny walks his way to his goal, “In a Violent Nature” does run into some human activity. It’s not much, but there’s a local man who tries to empty a shotgun into the mobile threat. And there’s the cabin squad, with Ehren, Troy, and Colt joined by some females who are largely resistant to their charms. A campfire sequence details Johnny’s backstory, as Ehren shares his knowledge of the “White Pine Slaughter,” which ended the child’s life, endangering his father as well. It’s meant to be a spooky urban legend, but Johnny makes his presence known, doing so through vicious physical acts that literally tear his victims apart. Such gore zone visits are impressive and keep “In a Violent Nature” interesting, as Nash delivers a surprisingly effective bloodbath on a tiny budget, giving the fans what they want to see. This gnarly rage is boosted by movie monster-ing, as Johnny claims an old fireman mask and hatchet, completing his look as he returns to the slaughterama.

In a Violent Nature Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.34:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "In a Violent Nature" faces the low-budget look of the feature, which is mostly set in the woods. Detail is generally good with skin surfaces and costuming ideas, including the roughness of the firefighter mask. Exteriors are dimensional, offering a view of forest tours and distances. Interiors retain woodsy cabin and ranger station views, with a decent sense of decorative additions. Lighting is extremely limited at times, but frame information isn't fully lost. Color is distinct, offering plenty of greenery and autumnal hues. Skin tones are natural. Blood is deep red. Encoding has its limitations at times, already dealing with a heavily processed movie.

In a Violent Nature Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix isn't going too hard with the often delicate nature of the feature. Atmospherics are perhaps most dominant, finding forest activity and bird calls offering a mild level of immersion. Voices play with distances as the killer approaches his prey in the wild, and dialogue exchanges are defined, maintaining a balanced sense of conversation and panic. Music only arrives during the end credits, and acoustic instrumentation and vocals are crisp. Low-end isn't challenged. Sound effects are defined, with the mangling of bodies remaining squishy and crunchy.

In a Violent Nature Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Disc 1

• Commentary #1 features "Production & Cast."

• Commentary #2 features "Technical."

• "Storyboard Kill" Image Galleries offer "Johnny Wakes," "Original Brodie Death," "Brodie Death," "Aurora Death," "Return to Ranger Station," "Ranger Death," and "Colt Death."

Disc 2

• "Dead in the Water: The Attempted Making of the Original 'In a Violent Nature'" (71:13, HD) details the first attempt to shoot the feature, returning to the Canadian wilderness in 2021, where writer/director Chris Nash struggled to launch the production. Offered here is a video diary of the event, observing the production team face punishing rain, malfunctioning equipment, and rising tensions. It's a fascinating study of cast and crew camaraderie and hourly challenges preventing a reasonably smooth shoot. Assembling all the footage he had from filming, Nash eventually decided to try again with a new team.

• "The Yoga Kill" (4:11, HD) examines one of the violent encounters from the 2021 shoot, detailing the technical effort required to sell a murder scene. BTS footage of the team working to make something gory happen is included, including interview time with prosthetics supervisor Steven Kostanski, director of "PG: Psycho Goreman" and "Frankie Freako."

• "Scenes from the First Version of 'In a Violent Nature'" (47:31, HD) provide a peek at the discarded film, allowing fans to understand the original plan for the feature.

• "Sundance Video Diary" (29:47, SD) is footage captured by editor Alex Jacobs, who followed the "In a Violent Nature" team as they made their way through the film festival, including parties, street tours, and speeches at the premiere.

• Behind the Scenes (13:06, HD) supplies a look at production achievements.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included on this release.

In a Violent Nature Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Again, "In a Violent Nature" is in no hurry to get anywhere. There's some history in play with the introduction of The Ranger (Reece Presley), but most of the viewing experience involves Johnny walking around the woods, occasionally mangling victims in a variety of ways, including the use of a mechanical log splitter. If one doesn't possess immense patience, Nash's vision is going to feel like a prison sentence. For those more open to a defined directorial approach, the feature has some interesting atmosphere at times, and the kills do the trick, reinforcing the might of Johnny's physical power. "In a Violent Nature" is an unusual genre offering, primarily built to test the audience as Nash offers as much spareness as possible, looking to disrupt expectations with an art-house take on a woodland massacre.