In a Violent Nature

7/10

In a Violent Nature, undead Jason Vorhees-esque killer Johnny (played by Ry Barrett) goes on a killing spree in the woods as he purses a golden locket that was taken from his resting place. This is a twist on the slasher genre in which instead of focusing on the final girl and future victims the movie follows the silent killer for 90% of the film. 

This is definitely an interesting idea. People crack jokes about what the killers in these films are up to between kills and how they transport from place to place. Well, here we get it, and it's an interesting concept. I've heard complaints online (and from one random stranger at the movie theater) that the movie is too much of Johnny walking around the woods. Personally, I didn't find this to be a deal breaker (and I honestly didn't think there was THAT much walking), because the cinematography and sound are excellent. The movie is short like a nature documentary kinda in that a lot is silent observation of a being in the woods. I don't think I've seen a forest-set horror movie that truly one hundred percent felt like it was filmed in a natural park. There are so many excellent captures of foliage and the natural landscape. Except for a couple moments at night, the lighting feels natural. There's no soundtrack in this. My congrats to the sound guy or guys because they make the environment feel so natural like you're actually outdoors. 

The movie should be particularly congratulated for using pieces of dialogue overhead by Johnny as he stalks and the general conventions of slasher flicks that we are easily able to piece together what's happening on the victims' side of the story without spending much time on them. 

Also, there are some great uses of angles and reveals. Given that Johnny is the main subject, there is an interesting use of focus where often he'll be in the foreground and his victims a little out of focus when he's observing or pursuing others. 

Going back to the "movie is a lot of walking" criticism, when we get to the actual kills, they are worth the wait. This is up with Thanksgiving as one of the most violent slashers of recent years. IaVN has two of the most memorable, over-the-top kills I've seen in quite a while. Also, the movie doesn't waste time with the pursuit of the victims. It's all about the violence.

Whereas the pacing didn't feel like that big a problem, there are a weak spots. Admittedly, Johnny is a little too derivative of Jason Vorhees. The killer's mask, which is an old time firefighter's hood is a unique idea, but it looks a little too much like a mosquito and doesn't feel like it quite lands. 

The dialogue for the regular people is mostly bad. The script goes with the regular tropes of horror movies, but with less effort. I know a lot of the victims in these movies die because of being jerks or being too carefree, but these guys just a rub you the wrong way a little too much.

Remember that line about the movie being 90% Johnny? Those who like the concept may not love that the movie doesn't go that extra 10% to commit to the concept. Lastly, people are going to have mixed feelings about the ending. I'm honestly unsure how I feel about it.

Kinda recommended. The pacing and offbeat nature may not be for everyone (also, if you don't like gruesome violence, you won't like this), but others amongst you will find this interesting. Worth giving a chance. Even if you're not a fan, this isn't painfully bad.