We always see original hits, big and small, getting sequels. However, it’s been an especially recurrent trend in horror these days, with “Smile,” “Ready or Not,” and “The Black Phone” being some of the more recent examples. The latest one is actually quite surprising.
Two years ago, IFC Films hinted at a sequel to its well-reviewed 2024 indie horror hit “In A Violent Nature.” The announcement came during a panel at San Diego Comic-Con. Now we’re learning that the sequel was already shot last year in Canada and is currently in post-production (via Variety).
The sequel is written by Chris Nash, but he’s stepping back from the director’s chair this time around and has been replaced by Nathaniel Wilson, marking his feature directorial debut. A 2026 release is a real possibility for this one.
“In A Violent Nature” was an inventive reworking of the slasher genre, filmed from the killer’s perspective. It was very gory, but no less interesting in the way Nash tried to reform how a genre-specific story could be told. The sequel will bring back Ry Barrett as the masked killer, but this time the story will be set at a summer camp.
What I found most interesting about “In A Violent Nature” was how Nash managed to use slasher clichés—the most familiar of tropes (scenes set in lakes, cabins, woods, campfires)—and find fresh ways of shooting them. It was a fascinating artistic experiment.
However, now the film is set to become its own horror cliché by getting a sequel and becoming a franchise. Go figure. I don’t think the film necessarily needed its story continued, but IFC seems to believe otherwise.
“In A Violent Nature” was a surprise hit for IFC, having grossed $4.5M on a budget reported to be a little less than $500,000. It first premiered in January at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it was part of the Midnight sidebar.
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