Summary:
- “In a Violent Nature” subverts traditional slasher norms by presenting events from the perspective of an undead killer with a child-like mentality.
- The movie’s first-person viewpoint heightens tension and evokes sympathy for Johnny, the masked killer.
- This use of first-person POV in horror films, as demonstrated in “In a Violent Nature,” should be further explored as a unique storytelling tool.
IFC Films’ experimental slasher movie In a Violent Nature reinvents the well-worn horror subgenre, marking a fresh take for 2024. The film features a massive masked killer stalking and gruesomely killing teenagers, but it subverts expectations by presenting the story from the perspective of Johnny, the undead killer with a child-like mentality.
While it’s challenging to empathize with a monster as he dismembers victims, the movie offers just enough backstory for Johnny to evoke some sympathy or at least an understanding of his motivations.
The slasher subgenre has seen countless iterations, so In a Violent Nature finding new ground is a notable achievement. Interestingly, this film will share its unique trait with another high-concept horror movie in 2024, hinting at a budding mini-trend in horror.
A Violent Nature Is The First Of Two First-Person Horror Films In 2024
A Violent Nature breaks new ground by using a first-person perspective from its killer for much of its runtime. Another film, Steven Soderbergh‘s Presence, set to release in 2024, will follow a similar concept.
Presence, which debuted at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, offers a unique twist on the haunted house genre by shooting the entire movie from the perspective of the entity haunting the house. This approach was reportedly so intense that some viewers left the theater, according to Variety.
Starring Lucy Liu, Julia Fox, and Chris Sullivan, Presence differs from In a Violent Nature by never revealing the invisible entity that torments the family, while Johnny’s kills are shown from multiple angles.
Although some backstory for the entity might be revealed, the camera remains fixed on its perspective, maintaining its mystery throughout the film. Both movies share the concept of focusing on the perspective of the monster rather than its victims, setting up an intriguing comparison.
The First-Person Monster Concept Should Continue To Evolve With The Horror Genre
In a Violent Nature has received critical acclaim and is expected to be a box office success. Presence also debuted with a strong 92% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, demonstrating the effectiveness of the first-person point-of-view in horror. This approach should be incorporated more frequently into the genre and could evolve as horror continues to innovate.
This doesn’t mean that all horror films should adopt a fully first-person POV. While there may be more opportunities for entirely first-person horror films, this perspective could also serve as a valuable tool for horror filmmakers.
In the past, the first-person POV has been used to great effect in horror, and In a Violent Nature shows that combining this perspective with traditional camera angles can create something unique and visually compelling.
Both In a Violent Nature and Presence are pushing the boundaries of the horror genre, demonstrating that fresh perspectives can breathe new life into familiar tropes. As horror continues to evolve, these films pave the way for more innovative storytelling techniques that keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
