In A Violent Nature seeks to re-invent the ‘Slasher’ horror genre, but is unable to emulate the success of it’s inspirations.

The film follows a mute killer who is accidentally woken up by a group of teenagers. Slowly the killer picks off each person, often in a violent and bloody fashion.

In A Violent Nature’s selling point was that it the camera follows the killer instead of the usual victim perspective.

This change is refreshing, however this gimmick is quickly proven not entirely true.

“You stay out of that park”

Image credit: IFC Films

In A Violent Nature was designed to be a throwback to the slashers of the 80’s with a modern twist in it’s extreme gore.

If you’ve seen a Friday the 13th, you’ve practically seen most of what this film has to offer.

However, the film attempts to revitalise the dead slasher genre by keeping its focus centrally on the killer, Johnny.

Similarly to Friday the 13th’s hockey mask wearing, machete wielding icon Jason Voorhees, In A Violent Nature’s Johnny wears a mask and kill using another tool, an axe.

The comparisons to Jason are blatant with Johnny just being a Canadian version of him, even down to his motif.

Johnny is stuck in the mind of mentally ill child and was murdered in his youth. After his parents met the same fate, he returns to seek vengeance anytime his Mothers locket is taken from his grave.

He is a one note killer, but that’s part of his identity. Afterall, he’s a walking corpse hell bent on causing as much pain and suffering on those who have disturbed him.

Johnny’s lack of character makes it a tough watch considering the viewer is trapped with him for a majority of the film.

What makes the slog of tracking Johnny’s every move bearable is the beautfiul wilderness he treks through.

The woods of Northern Ontario act as a beatufiul backdrop to the horrydying events that take place within them.

Cinematographer Pierce Derks allows the audience to drink up the scenery with gorgeous wide shots, whilst also capturing true violence in the brutal close up kill scenes.

“You guys never heard of the White Pine Slaughter?”

Image credit: IFC Films

The acting is about what you’d expect from a throwback slasher.

An incredibly small cast that all work well with their cheesy lines and frequent exposition dumps.

Ryan Barrett does a great job as Johnny, capturing the slow and stiff motions that Nick Castle(Halloween) and Ted White(Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter) perfected decades ago.

Lauren-Marie Taylor delivers the best performance of the film as The Woman, even though she doesn’t hold the screen for very long.

The brutal kills and inventive methods will satisfy many horror fans who live for good practical effects.

With a lot of modern horror devolving into CGI mess, it’s refreshing to see In A Violent Nature take the old approach to gore.

In A Violent Nature begins to fall flat when it breaks from its promise of a killers perspective.

This happens multiple times in the film. It’s especially egregious when the victims talk about Johnny’s back story and he’s nowhere near them.

It’s a shame since back in 2012 IFC Films produced another killers perspective horror film in the Maniac remake.

That film never broke perspective and was able to find interesting ways to explore its killers backstory.

The lack of score for the film helps build a sense of tension that keeps the violence scary.

“Alright, buckle up”

Image credit: IFC Films

In A Violent Nature doesn’t have the same stopping power as it’s inspirations in Maniac and Friday the 13th.

However, it does ask its audience an interesting question about the nature of violence.

Sadly this question doesn’t go anywhere interesting during the films hour and a half run time.

As a modern slasher, Johnny is also pretty forgettable. His tired design is saved only by the make up and his use of chains.

Fans of Friday the 13th who are desperate for a similar film will find In A Violent Nature a substantial substitute until everyone’s favourite unkillable slasher returns.

Featured image credit: IFC Films