Johnny is officially back, and he is still the ultimate “unhappy camper.” In a Violent Nature became a viral horror sensation back in 2024. Well, the team is back and doubling down on the gore. Sales powerhouse Charades has officially boarded In a Violent Nature 2, bringing the project to the European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin—and they’ve brought the first look to whet our appetites.
Suppose the first film was a slow-burning stroll through the woods. However, the sequel sounds like a full-blown sprint into chaos.
Summer Camp Just Got Deadlier
Production wrapped in Canada late last year, and the film is currently deep in post-production. Ry Barrett returns as Johnny, the undead, vengeful force of nature who originally woke up because someone messed with his favorite locket.
This time, Johnny is trading the deep wilderness for the ultimate horror trope: a summer camp. The story follows a young, outcast camper trapped at an end-of-season party with his sister (a counselor) and her friends. As you can probably guess, Johnny isn’t showing up for the s’mores—he’s there for a bloody rampage after another group of teens makes the mistake of stealing his golden locket.
“Exponential Ultraviolence”
The creative team isn’t pulling any punches. While the first film was famous for its “third-person-perspective” cinematography, the sequel is cranking the volume to eleven. Director Nathaniel Wilson takes the helm with a script by the original film’s mastermind, Chris Nash.
Producer Peter Kuplowsky (the mind behind Psycho Goreman) has promised fans an “exponential increase of the ol’ ultraviolence.”
The founders of Charades have teased that this installment is driven by a “new vision,” aiming to deliver more kills, more blood, and moments even more iconic than the first.
The Cast & Crew
Joining in the carnage is a fresh cast ready to meet Johnny’s hook. That includes Lucas Nguyen, Olivia Scriven, Laurie Babin, and Fionn Laird. Donald MacLean Jr. and Evan Marsh round out the cast.
Peter Kuplowsky and Shannon Hanmer produce the film. IFC Films and Shudder are set to bring this nightmare to our screens.
Why the Hype is Real
The original In a Violent Nature broke the slasher mold by letting us walk in the killer’s boots, turning a “long walk in the woods” into something deeply unsettling. The new trailer leans heavily into the vibes of the original Friday the 13th, paying tribute to the classics while maintaining that unique, sensory experience of the hunt. If the sequel delivers on its promise of “more blood,” we might be looking at the birth of the next great horror franchise.
If you missed the first movie, don’t panic; you can watch it now on Hulu and Prime Video. Have a look at the first teaser and image for the sequel below.
