Slashers are one of the most popular subgenres of horror. With decades worth of films, it’s difficult to imagine someone coming up with a slasher film that feels wholly unique. Chris Nash (ABC’s of Death 2) achieves that with his latest film, In a Violent Nature. 60 years after a series of horrific crimes, a group of young people stumble upon the remains of an old fire tower hidden away in the woods. When one of them takes a locket hanging at the site, it awakens the corpse of a vengeful killer buried beneath the ruins, leading to a trail of carnage as he seeks what was taken from him.

At first glance, the plot of In a Violent Nature sounds akin to tales of other slasher villains such as Jason Voorhees and Victor Crowley. Nash’s film follows a killer named Johnny, and I use the term “follow” quite literally here. Throughout the majority of In a Violent Nature, the camera follows behind Johnny from the moment he digs himself out of his makeshift grave. Most slasher films follow a group of young friends as they party, then try to escape or fight off the killer, only showing the killer when the carnage ensues. Nash tells the story of Johnny by flipping that traditional format. The audience is with Johnny as he stalks through the woods, searching for the locket that was stolen from him. The group of friends only appearing to either reveal Johnny’s origin story to the audience or to act as cannon fodder in his quest. This shakeup of the typical slasher format not only brings a much needed update to the subgenre, but it also sets the tone for Johnny to be a more sympathetic character. While many famed killers have tragic origin stories, audiences still tend to side with the kids, or at least the final girl, because those are the characters we truly get to know. With In a Violent Nature, we never really get character development for Johnny’s victims because this is his story, not theirs. The audience isn’t endeared to those characters, so their fates are incidental. Johnny is the protagonist of this story, albeit an unconventional one.

With such a distinctive take on slashers, In a Violent Nature is going to polarize audiences. A large portion of the film is just the camera following Johnny as he slowly stalks through serene woodlands, punctuated by some of the most graphic kills shown on film. It’s a far more meditative and subdued take, which some viewers will likely find too slow, or even boring. However, we all know that killers in slasher films walk, they never run. It’s a sort of cheeky wink at the audience that screams, “See! The killers really do just walk everywhere until they catch up to their victims!” It also conveys that Johnny, as well as other famed killers, aren’t all mindless violence. There is a calmness and methodical nature to what they do. Like a great white shark in the ocean, Johnny is constantly on the move, only slowing down if something gets between him and his coveted locket.

When it comes to the performances from In a Violent Nature, most characters are shown in fleeting instances. The only character we spend a decent amount of time with is Johnny, played by Ry Barrett (Lifechanger, The Heretics). Standing at a hulking 6’6, Barrett makes for quite the imposing figure. Because Johnny never speaks in the film, Barrett’s performance relies on his physicality. His size certainly helps to bring the supernatural killer corpse back from the grave, but there is much more to his performance. Despite his silence and the fact that we never seen his face, Barrett is able to convey a range of emotions through body language. From a quiet calm and determination to longing for what was taken from him, it’s clear Johnny is the result of what others have done to him. It doesn’t seem like there is hate or malice from the character, even as he annihilates those in his path. Inside that monstrous form is just a little boy who wants his mommy.

Even if the film is too slow for some people, one can’t deny the absolutely stunning visuals throughout In a Violent Nature. Johnny himself has quite an iconic look. While we never see his face, what we do see of his skin shows what remains of his rotting body after years in the earth, with very subtle, yet well executed makeup and practical effects. Eventually, Johnny dons an antique firefighter mask to match the fire lookout he was buried beneath. It’s a mask horror fans haven’t seen before, and it leaves quite an impression. The locations and cinematography are striking, emphasizing the tranquility of the forest. This allows for a disturbing juxtaposition to Johnny’s kills. In a Violent Nature boasts some of the most graphic, gruesome, and creative slasher kills to ever grace the silver screen. One kill specifically is truly jaw-dropping not only because of the grisly nature of the death, but also because it is amazing they managed to pull it off with practical effects.

In a Violent Nature is a daring reimagination of the classic slasher that takes a more meditative approach, while still delivering unflinching gore. Even with such a familiar plot, the film feels fresh and original. Barrett brings an iconic new killer to life as he stomps through gorgeous scenery and carries out wonderfully-executed kills. Love it or hate it, Nash has created a film that will be talked about for decades to come. It’s a film that will no doubt appear on many “best horror of 2024” lists. You can watch In a Violent Nature exclusively in theaters on May 31st.

OVERALL RATING: 8/10