There were a couple of silver linings to what was otherwise anoverwhelmingly disappointing weekendat the domestic box office. While Paramount’s family friendlyIFreported a strong hold in its third weekend of release, jumping a position by overtakingFuriosa: A Mad Max Saga, further down the chart an entirely different demographic was satisfied by the buzzy horror filmIn a Violent Nature. The movie claimed the eighth spot in its first weekend, deliveringone of the top openings for the indie distributor IFC Films.
Earlier this year, the acclaimed horror titleLate Night with the Devildelivered IFC’s biggest debut ever, grossing $2.8 million in its first weekend.In a Violent Nature, which was deemed worthy of the distributor’s widest-ever release — it played in over 1,400 domestic theaters —opened to $2.1 million in its debut, behind fellow newcomerHaikyu!! The Dumpster Battleand holdover horror titleThe Strangers: Chapter 1.
Written and directed byChris Nash,In a Violent Naturefollows a mute killer who goes on a murderous rampage in the Canadian wilderness. The movie has been generating buzz for presenting the killings through the murderer’s perspective, much like movies such asHenry: Portrait of a Serial KillerandThe House that Jack Built. Nash said after the film’s premiere at Sundance this year that he wanted to pay homage toGus Van Sant’s “death trilogy” of films – 2002’sGerry, 2003’sElephantand 2005’sLast Days— all deliberately paced, moody,largely silentdramas.
‘In a Violent Nature’ Proves that Targeted Releases Work Best for the Horror Genre
The result isone of the best-reviewed horror movies of the year,currently holding a “fresh” 87% approval rating on the review aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes. In hispositive review, Collider’sChase Hutchinsonwrote that the “kills in this film are some of the most bonkers, bloody, and brutal you’ll ever see,” but admitted that audiences unaccustomed to hyper-violent slasher movies might find it “exhausting.”
Broadly speaking, the genre has been more successful for smaller titles than those produced by studios this year. While movies likeLate Night with the Deviland Neon’sImmaculatedid well enough considering their frugal budgets, there has been genuine concern in recent weeks over the under-performance of films such asAbigail($48 million worldwide),Imaginary($39 million worldwide),Tarot($42 million worldwide), andThe First Omen($53 million worldwide). StarringLauren-Marie Taylor,Andrea Pavlovic,Ry Barrett, andReece Presley,In a Violent Natureis playing in theaters, and likeLate Night with the Devil, the movie will eventually be released on the Shudder streaming service. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
In a Violent Nature
The horror movie tracks a ravenous zombie creature as it makes its way through a secluded forest.
