In a Violent Nature 2 (FANTASTIC) Focuses More on Its Kills than Expanding Its Story
Title: In a Violent Nature 2
First Non-Festival Release: February 12, 2027 (Theatrical Release)
Director: Chris Nash, Nate Wilson
Writer: Chris Nash
Runtime: 88 Minutes
Starring: Ry Barrett, Lucas Nguyen, Olivia Scriven
Where to Watch: Check out where to find it here
This film’s review was written after its screening at the Fantastic Film Festival in 2026.
Back in 2024, one particular slasher exploded on the film festival circuit. In a Violent Nature subverted many tropes for the subgenre by following its killer for nearly the entirety of the film. Almost like an arthouse exploration of violence, In a Violent Nature forces the audience to watch as the killer does his dirty work, making them feel complicit in the violence. It truly is a novel concept that places a lot of pressure on the sequel to top.
The morning after Johnny’s (Ry Barrett) reign of terror concludes on the hapless campers who stole his locket, he finds a new focus in Alex (Lucas Nguyen), a camper at nearby Camp Puddingstone. Alex finds himself in Johnny’s path when he takes fellow camper James (Ivano DiCaro) to the site of his demise to blow a whistle. This whistle is said to command Johnny to seek revenge on all those you desire and Alex has plenty. Even he missed his chance to get even with his camp bullies, Alex wants to daydream of their demise anyway. Discovering that Alex never got on the last bus out, his sister, Julie (Olivia Scriven), decides to let him stay the night with the other counselors, who are throwing one last rager before the summer ends. Unbeknownst to all, Alex unwittingly has signed their death warrant when Johnny arrives with a thirst for blood.
In a Violent Nature 2 knocks the wind out of the franchise’s sails to deliver a standard summer camp slasher.
Right off the bat, In a Violent Nature 2 makes a bold, yet ill-advised choice to take the focus off of Johnny. Instead, we follow Alex, a typical, whiny 14-year-old who wantonly shuffles through his life, being pushed around by bullies and allies alike. The choice feels vaguely inspired, as we often don’t see the lead followed in such a manner in slasher films like this. Unfortunately, the welcome wears thin the longer the film follows Alex, who is as directionless as the silent, shambling, undead fireman.
This is the major problem with the film; it doesn’t seem like In a Violent Nature 2 knows what it wants to do. Much of this camp slasher feels like it could be copy-and-pasted into hundreds of other similar stories and it wouldn’t matter. Johnny’s lore is extended to include some supernatural conjuring, and it feels included solely to get him from the first massacre to the next quickly rather than saying anything interesting about his character. The thin characterization extends to the rest of his victims, and Alex too, who is easily the most developed of them all.
In the end, it feels like another summer camp slasher devoted to killing dumb teenagers and young adults in fun ways. Sometimes that’s enough. Sometimes it isn’t. For In a Violent Nature 2, it’s a mixed bag.
Despite the weak story elements, In a Violent Nature 2 is effective in other ways. Gorehounds will be elated with the intensity and creativity of the kills. The execution is remarkable even if the effectiveness is so-so. Much of the action takes place in a single massacre sequence, which shows most of the kills off-screen or in brief cuts. The few that get center stage are appropriately gnarly, showing off the brutality of Johnny’s strength and determination. One cabin-set kill will easily be this feature’s new yoga scene. It ebbs and flows in tension throughout, never quite letting audiences settle into a rhythm to expect what’s coming next. Better paced than the first installment for sure, In a Violent Nature 2 still struggles to find its footing.
The rest of the film’s production values save it from being a mere mindless gorefest. The performances are largely fine, with some of the best acting coming from bit parts. Nothing is more memorable than the absolutely camp delivery of a line involving driving fast cars and cunnilingus. Camp Puddingstone is beautifully rendered, feeling like a lost time capsule of the greater days of camp while never feeling lost to time. Above all, it can be genuinely scary at times, which does balance out the more frustrating elements.
In a Violent Nature 2 may not be the slasher of the year but it is still a remarkably effective and memorable sequel. Strong production values, solid scares, and great gore highlight its effectiveness, even when the plodding story and odd character choices weigh it down. It must be noted that this isn’t a final product, despite looking pretty polished for most of the film. Still, the most important elements of In a Violent Nature are already baked in, making it a fine sequel to a truly novel film.
Overall Score? 6/10
