"In a Violent Nature" sets out with an intriguing premise: a slasher flick seen entirely from the killer's perspective. This undead dude named Johnny, resurrected by meddling campers, is on a bloody quest to reclaim a mysterious locket.
Simple enough, I'm in.
The first act is promising. The cinematography is cool, with a voyeuristic perspective that places you right in Johnny's rotting shoes (or lack thereof). Some of kills are undeniably brutal, with a focus on practical effects that'll make you squirm. It feels almost like a first-person video game at times, and for a horror fan, that's an initial thrill.
But here's where things get messy. The novelty of Johnny's perspective wears off fast. The movie becomes repetitive. We see him lumber through the woods (this is where I wished I could mash the sprint button on my controller to get him to move quicker - so much walking), fixate on the teens through the trees, then unleash another gruesome kill.
The campers themselves are forgettable slasher fodder. We don't care about them, and there's no attempt to make them interesting. They're just there to be gruesome set pieces.
Then comes the ending. Let's just say it's a massive letdown. The build-up to the climax fizzles out with a whimper, leaving you feeling cheated after a slog through repetitive sequences. I honestly don't know if I would seek this out to watch again, but may possibly leave it on, if I came across it while it was playing.
The gorehounds will find plenty to appreciate. But the repetitive nature, lack of character development, and a disappointing ending make this a frustrating watch. It's a movie with a great idea that stumbles over its own execution.
Simple enough, I'm in.
The first act is promising. The cinematography is cool, with a voyeuristic perspective that places you right in Johnny's rotting shoes (or lack thereof). Some of kills are undeniably brutal, with a focus on practical effects that'll make you squirm. It feels almost like a first-person video game at times, and for a horror fan, that's an initial thrill.
But here's where things get messy. The novelty of Johnny's perspective wears off fast. The movie becomes repetitive. We see him lumber through the woods (this is where I wished I could mash the sprint button on my controller to get him to move quicker - so much walking), fixate on the teens through the trees, then unleash another gruesome kill.
The campers themselves are forgettable slasher fodder. We don't care about them, and there's no attempt to make them interesting. They're just there to be gruesome set pieces.
Then comes the ending. Let's just say it's a massive letdown. The build-up to the climax fizzles out with a whimper, leaving you feeling cheated after a slog through repetitive sequences. I honestly don't know if I would seek this out to watch again, but may possibly leave it on, if I came across it while it was playing.
The gorehounds will find plenty to appreciate. But the repetitive nature, lack of character development, and a disappointing ending make this a frustrating watch. It's a movie with a great idea that stumbles over its own execution.
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