In a Violent Nature almost made me physically ill, and I loved it

I watch a fair amount of horror films. While I’m not as passionate about it as some of my peers, I consider myself relatively well-versed in the genre and am used to the depths of depravity it occasionally plumbs.

I’m also known for liking gory movies, even if they’re not horror movies. I’m well-documented on that particular subject, especially when it comes to action movies, where gory scenes are rare but can add extra tension and surprise to a particularly intense fight. But nothing came close to the instinctive reaction I had in response to a particularly brutal moment in the new experimental slasher film In a violent nature. The scene and my reaction to it shocked me.

From Canadian screenwriter and director Chris Nash (ABC of Death 2s “Z stands for zygote” segment), In a violent nature combines a slasher in the style of Friday the 13th with the slow cinema of directors like Terrence Malick. The 94-minute film, which premiered at Sundance in January and hit theaters on May 31, follows the perspective of its silent killer. The film is full of long, uninterrupted shots from behind the killer’s shoulder as he walks through quiet woods and fields, stalking his prey. There is no score. It’s a deconstruction and reinvention of the slasher genre that works very well for the most part. It’s moody and atmospheric. The deliberate pacing makes the bloodlust scenes seem even more violent.

Then we come to the scene that surprised me. I must warn you again before I go any further: if you are even the least bit squeamish, or just want to experience the gory details for yourself by watching the film, please stop reading here. I will not judge you.

Image: Shudder

When the killer corners one of his victims, a young woman, on the edge of a cliff, the scene seems to be setting up a moment when she jumps to her death or he pushes her off. Instead, the killer jams a hook into her skull and uses it to pull her head down through her own stomach and down her back. It’s extremely vivid – it makes me sick just thinking about it – especially with the massive sound and effects work on her spine, which turns blue as the bones burst under the strain like tiny, grisly fireworks.

On paper, this might sound like a cartoonish Mortal Kombat fatality. In practice, it’s terrifyingly real and disturbing. The combination of the twisting of the victim’s spine and the squelching and scraping sounds as those bones break will always haunt me, which is a credit to Nash and the entire team.

There were Reports of people vomiting in the cinema when they saw that moment, and I don’t blame them. Nash, for his part, is not sure if that is true, but he said Dexerto“I can’t be proud of it, but it doesn’t worry me either.” If I hadn’t watched, In a violent nature At home on my comfortable couch, I could easily imagine joining their ranks. The cinema experience is much more intense, for better or for worse, depending on the film and the audience. I could well imagine that this scene would be overwhelming in this environment.

Gore is no guarantee of success in the horror genre. It is simply one of many tools that filmmakers in the genre can use to enhance a film. But when used well, it can create unforgettable moments that are permanently imprinted on your brain. One of the reasons I watch movies is to elicit visceral reactions. In that regard, no movie I have seen in 2024 (except I saw the TV light up) has achieved a higher score than In a violent nature. That’s an impressive achievement for one of the most fascinating films of the year.

In a violent nature is now in theaters.