When a locket is removed from a collapsed fire tower in the woods that entombs the rotting corpse of Johnny, a vengeful spirit spurred on by a horrific 60-year-old crime, his body is resurrected, and he becomes hellbent on retrieving it.
I went into “In a Violent Nature” with high expectations, fueled by the buzz about its graphic gore and potential to revive the slasher genre. As a lifelong horror fan, I’m always excited to discover a new terror that will leave me sleeping with the lights on. Unfortunately, this film fails to deliver anything but a shallow imitation of its predecessors.
“In a Violent Nature” examines the current state of the slasher genre and the challenges of creating a compelling horror film. While it attempts to pay homage to classic slashers, it ultimately falls short due to a lack of originality and poorly executed storytelling.
From a narrative perspective, the film relies heavily on familiar tropes: a group of friends, an isolated location, and a vengeful spirit. However, the characters are underdeveloped, lacking sufficient backstory or depth to evoke empathy from the audience. This lack of character development undermines the tension and impact of the subsequent violence.
The film’s technical aspects show some promise. The 1.33:1 aspect ratio lends an arthouse aesthetic, and certain scenes showcase the potential for creative visuals. However, these elements are not enough to overcome the plodding pace and overall lack of suspense.
The most glaring issue is the film’s blatant borrowing from “Friday the 13th,” particularly in its depiction of the killer and plot structure. Rather than offering a fresh take on the genre, it settles for direct imitation. This lack of originality severely hinders the film’s potential to leave a lasting impact on the viewer.
“In a Violent Nature” had the chance to be something special, but it settles for being forgettable. For horror fans, it’s a shallow attempt at shock value with no substance to back it up.
Ultimately, “In a Violent Nature” serves as an example of the pitfalls of relying too heavily on gore and not enough on substantive storytelling and character development. While it may appeal to a niche audience seeking graphic content, it fails to contribute meaningfully to the horror genre as a whole. If you want a real scare, look elsewhere.
In Theaters Friday, May 31st
3.4k
20k
1.5k
1.3k