WhileIn a Violent Naturemight technically follow a standard slasher template, the subversive horror movie changes the perspective of its story. As the main characters of 1996’sScreamfamously noted, horror movies have a fairly rigid set of tropes they can sometimes rely on heavily. Specifically, slasher movies are often seen as trashy fare where partying teens are picked off one at a time by a seemingly unstoppable masked killer who doesn’t talk but does come up with increasingly elaborate and gory ways to end their lives. This effectively describes many of theFriday the 13thandHalloweenmovies.
Add in a remote woodland setting, and the above synopsis could apply to dozens of movies that ripped off those franchises since the ‘80s. On paper, thebrutal slasher movieIn a Violent Naturefollows this description to a tee. The Shudder horror movie sees an unspeaking undead killer stalk and inventively murder a group of teens in a remote forest after they accidentally awaken his vengeful spirit by disturbing his cherished locket. However, in practice,In a Violent Naturecould not be less likeMadman,The Burning,Don’t Go in the Woods,Hatchet,Bloody Murder, orThe Forest.
In A Violent Nature Is A Rare Horror Movie Told From The Killer’s Perspective
In A Violent Nature’s Slasher Story Subverts Horror Convention
Unlike almost every slasher movie ever made,In a Violent Natureis told from the slasher’s perspective but is not a comedic self-parody. Instead,In a Violent Nature’s sleepy, leisurely story follows Johnny as he emerges from the earth, arms himself, and picks off the teens one by one. For any viewers who ever wondered what Jason Voorhees got up to between kills,In a Violent Naturefinally provides an answer. The killer walks through idyllic fields and lush backwoods, occasionally stopping to take in his surroundings before moving on to his next kill. This subversive approach is surprisingly effective.
No less a luminary thanStephen King recommendedIn a Violent Nature, even though, despite its critical success, the slasher isn’t traditionally scary. There is little tension since viewers know where Johnny is at all times and, after the first few kills, it is abundantly clear that none of the teens will stand a chance once he finds them. Despite this,In a Violent Nature’s premise is inherently creepy since the movie makes quiet forests and serene woodlands haunting. Viewers can never relax and enjoy the movie’s stunning vistas since they are constantly reminded of Johnny’s lingering presence.
The Killer’s Perspective Makes Johnny More Sympathetic
In A Violent Nature’s Johnny Is A Surprisingly Tragic Figure
When Johnny sits down to play with toy cars for a moment, it is a jarring reminder that he hasn’t shown much mental maturity throughout his killing spree, and he may not even be aware of the mayhem he wreaks.
Although Johnny is a monstrous murderer, the few glimpses that viewers get of his backstory do make him a surprisingly sympathetic protagonist. LikeIn a Violent Nature’s inspiration,Friday the 13th,the movie displays that its killer has almost childlike intelligence in numerous scenes.When Johnny sits down to play with toy cars for a moment, it is a jarring reminder that he hasn’t shown much mental maturity throughout his killing spree, and he may not even be aware of the mayhem he wreaks. This makes Johnny all the more scary since he’s driven not by sadism but by grief.
Johnny’s quest begins when one of the movie’s antiheroes steals his mother’s locket, and his entire killing spree is predicated on getting this item back. The locket carries some emotional significance for the undead killer. Although thecritically acclaimedIn a Violent Naturedoesn’t go out of its way to humanize Johnny, it is hard not to feel for him at times.
When viewers spend an entire movie in a character’s company, it is tough not to feel some connection to their fate. This makes it all the more disturbing whenIn a Violent Nature’s death scenes are notably nasty.
In A Violent Nature’s Kill Scenes Are Increasingly Brutal And Original
In A Violent Nature’s Deaths Prove The Movie Is Still A Savage Slasher
Even in the gory world of slasher movies,In a Violent Naturefeatures some truly horrifying death scenes. There are two reasons for this, both of which are informed by the movie’s unusual storytelling style. For one thing, it would be easy for hardened horror fans to complain that the meditative experimental movie isn’t a real slasher ifIn a Violent Naturedidn’t deliver on the promise of its title. A slasher movie made in the style of Terrence Malick and Gus Van Sant is a cute pitch, but this idea required truly gruesome death scenes to succeed.
Secondly,In a Violent Nature’s unusual delivery makes its kills more effective. Slasher movies are typically full of constant character drama, comedic relief, and other distractions. By stripping away all these extraneous elements,In a Violent Naturecontrasts long stretches of lonely silence with sudden shocks of intense gore. This makesIn a Violent Natureall the more impactful as a slasher, albeit one that is far from traditional.
In A Violent Nature Is Not The Only More To Put The Killer At The Forefront
In a Violent Natureis certainly a unique take on the genre, but it is not the first horror movie to be told from the perspective of the killer. In many similar cases,horror movies have gone into an examination of the killer’s mind, putting the audience in the unsettling position of experiencing their twisted mind and sadistic crimes firsthand. Such movies includeAmerican Psycho, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer,andThe House That Jack Built. However, these movies notably differ fromIn a Violent Naturedue to being grounded, real-world killers.
In terms of movies that take on the killer’s perspective while still adhering more closely to the slasher genre,Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernonis an interesting example. The movie is a mockumentary horror movie that takes place in a world in which killers likeJason Voorhees and Freddy Kruegerexist and centers around a camera crew following an enthusiastic killer attempting to establish himself as one of the greats. It is certainly a more comedic take, though Leslie Vernon does prove himself to be a more intimidating killer than expected.
While these films prove that horror movies have taken on the killer perspective in the past, In a Violent Naturestill stands out as a unique genre movie. By making Johnny the more traditional supernatural silent killer, the movie is a bold attempt to put him center stage and challenge the audience’s willingness to go on his brutal journey.
