‘Dark Nature’ Fantasia Fest 2022 Review – A Compelling Film That Plays It Safe

Plot Summary: Dark Nature tells the story of a therapy group that is forced to confront the monsters of their past when an isolated weekend retreat tests their emotional resilience and ability to survive.

Dark Nature is a prime example of why you should always give a movie a fresh re-watch before crafting a review. I’ll be honest, I dismissed the movie after my first viewing, yet, upon a re-watch, my opinion has softened a bit. Though, I will say my original complaints still mainly stay intact. Before I dive into the issues, I think this movie does have a lot of great things going for it. Dark Nature was filmed in the Canadian Rockies, and the filmmakers really do a fine job at capturing the breathtaking beauty of their surroundings. This use of locale does double duty adding a rich production value and polish. When you peel back these picturesque vistas, there is an eerie quality that helps set the stage for the horror.

There is an overall hefty amount of atmosphere that helps carry the movie when it begins to lag. An extra layer to the vibes comes courtesy of the stellar score by the experimental rock band Ghostkeeper. I would love to hear their work featured in more films. Also, the sound design in general is really well done and also well thought out in terms of narrative. For example, in a tense moment, you can hear the clicking of the lighter. This ties back into the main character Joy’s past trauma.

At its bloody heart, this movie is a human drama about recovery and redemption. Therefore, it is important to have a cast that really sells this in a way that feels authentic. Well, I am happy to report that the cast does a great job. Hannah Emily Anderson is excellent and thrives in being the film’s emotional centerpiece. The rest of the cast is, for the most part is very strong, and I think the little moments of banter before all hell breaks loose feel natural and only something you get when you have pros able to play off one another. The special effects in this are really great, especially for a lower-budget outing.

Even though I warmed up to the movie, I still think it has its share of issues. The director Berkley Brady cut their teeth in short films, and indeed, this movie is a prime example of a very good 20–30-minute feature stretched within an inch of its life to meet feature length. Dark Nature feels like it has a lot to say about some very serious issues like abuse, therapy and coming out the other end of painful experience. While I think the filmmakers are bold in the conversation they want to have, I don’t think they ever take these ideas or themes far enough to be cutting edge. These issues are vital, yes, but you have to really stand out when you are using these themes in a post A24 horror landscape. Also, at a scant 85-minute runtime, the pacing is pretty awkward, and I wished the overall premise was more focused. Worse yet, some story elements are woefully underwritten or feel only half-baked.

Dark Nature is a film that has a lot of good things going for it. However, there are some glaring issues with story and pacing. While most the performances are great, some of the actors aren’t on quite the same level and it tends to take you out of the moment. This is what I would consider a near-miss. It has all the elements of a compelling film but plays things a bit too safe to be memorable.

Dark Nature had its World Premiere at the 2022 Fantasia International Film Festival. 

Directors: Berkley Brady

Runtime: 85m

Cast: Hannah Emily Anderson, Kyra Harper, Madison Walsh