Samhain Project '24 : In a Violent Nature

This film came out earlier this year to much hullaballoo and deservedly so.  A low volume affair by young director, Chris Nash.  He displayed a vision and held to his process through to the end.  

Yes, this is a slasher film.  Indeed.  But.....

1.  It's like Mutual of Omaha's Friday the 13th, and this is a compliment.  The Ontario visuals are gorgeous from start to finish.

2.  You spend much more time with the slasher than you do his stupid teenage/early 20's victims. You learn just enough of his motivations, but are privy to all his actions. Jump scares are not what Nash is dealing in here.

3.  Disregard the shit you've heard about it being from the killer's (this time, an undead chap named Johnny) point of view.  Most of the camera work is from behind Johnny or to his left.  Like you're following him, not being him.  This removes the well-worn critical finger pointing of the past, blaming  the audience for somehow being complicit.  Now you're following him.  Hoping to god that Johnny doesn't turn to his left, look over his shoulder and see you.

4.  Nash shoots his film in 4:3, wanting to give audiences the vibe of watching those old slasher films with a boxy image on their 1980's pre-widescreen console televisions.  The man is a student of the game.  

5.  It has a classy ending.  Not a last minute shot of Johnny's eye's opening, or someone jumping out of the water, or being pulled somewhere.  This ending sends a message for you to interpret.  There is a final girl, and her subtle behavior as the film winds down gives you all you need to know.

In a Violent Nature, while being a throwback in a sense is unique, because Chris Nash takes the tropes and cliches (Thanks Horror's Greatest) and sets them on their ear, making this film completely unpredictable.  There are horrendous kills in this film, but they take their time; if you don't cover your eyes, prepare to cringe.  More than one moment will make you cock your head in realization that what you're seeing is completely out of left field for material of this sort.  

Hey Halloweeners, this one's for you, and if you're one of those folks who complains that Johnny spends too much time walking, maybe you need to spend some time in the woods. 

Look around.