Synopsis
Dark Nature is a Canadian horror-thriller film released in 2022, and it is also Berkley Brady’s first feature film. Inspired by her own experiences, Brady intertwines themes of trauma, natural horror, and psychological disintegration within the movie. It tells the story of a group of emotionally scarred women who embark on a remote wilderness retreat. Dark Nature weaves a psychological trauma and real-world horror tapestry. It delves into the complex relationship between psychological trauma and horror in reality, employing visual hallucinations and an unsettling atmosphere.
The movie opens with Joy, played by Hannah Emily Anderson, who is trying to bounce back from an abusive relationship with her boyfriend, Derek, who is played by Daniel Arnold. The film starts off on a grim note as Joy undergoes horrific physical violence from Derek. Even though she finds the strength to escape from the abusive relationship, the emotional wounds linger on. Because of this, she suffers from PTSD, anxiety, and troubling flashbacks.
To ease her recovery, Joy’s best friend Carmen (Madison Walsh), who is also a trauma survivor, takes her on a therapeutic group retreat in the mountains. Conspiratorial in nature, the retreat is run by trauma expert Dr. Dunnley (Kyra Harper) who specializes in the technique of “facing your fears in nature” for holistic healing. Along with two other women, Tara (Helen Belay) and Shaina (Roseanne Supernault), they form a small cohort embarking on a weekend of introspection, therapy, and unfiltered emotions deep into the wilderness.
Initially, the women’s behavior is stiff and structured, although they do try to engage and connect. Their attempts at connection, although awkward, are manageable. However, unravelling into the wilderness invokes a far darker and ultimately Joy-centric twist to the narrative.
Joy’s experience morphs into a visceral and hallucinatory nightmare, landscapes morph into grotesque and whispering malevolent forces. In tandem with the warped reality, the other women also start to misbehave leading to a volatile mix of frayed tempers, all of which is compounded by the infusion of wild nature.
Throughout the retreat, Joy is increasingly certain that something supernatural or predatory is stalking them. She begins questioning whether what she is witnessing is the result of her trauma or whether there is, in fact, some external danger. The film creates a slow-burn atmosphere of suspense and dread which, in turn, challenges the characters and the viewers themselves to come to grips with the concept of reality.
In the end, however, some sort of creature or force is confirmed to exist in the wild. The being seems to feed on the emotional distress and trauma of the women, bending their fears to force them to relive their darkest memories. This antagonist, however, is never fully explained or personified in a traditional horror sense. Instead, it acts as a metaphor of unresolved trauma: something deep, dormant, and eating away from the inside.
In the climax, Joy is required to face her personal demons, not via physical violence but emotional vulnerability and resolve. While the group fractures under the strain and suffers casualties in the process, Joy is able to tap into a previously unattainable inner resolve. The final result is a powerful emotional aftertaste, as well as a sense of ghostly dread with no final resolution.
Cast & Crew
Hannah Emily Anderson as Joy
Anderson portrays Joy, a character shaped by abuse, with astounding depth and ferocity. Her raw vulnerability was beautifully showcased in roles she played in The Purge TV Series and Jigsaw (2017). Anderson’s performance portraying Joy’s PTSD manifestations like panic attacks, self-doubt, and emotional isolation in a compelling and relatable way stand out.
Madison Walsh as Carmen
Carmen embodies both a friend and a more complicated survivor. Walsh’s blend of empathetic warmth and hardened wisdom captures the reality that healing is not a straight path. As a friend, she can both support or create tension.
Kyra Harper as Dr. Dunnley
A Dr. Dunnley type character embodies the psychological establishment as a well-meaning, but slightly aloof therapist. Quietly authoritative, Harper’s portrayal of Dunnley is calm but as the film unfolds, her aims and techniques draw considerable scrutiny.
Helen Belay as Tara & Roseanne Supernault as Shaina
Contributing unique perspectives of trauma, both supporting characters enrich the group. Tara is the more hesitant and introverted, whereas Shaina is more outspoken and defiant. Their interplay enhances the emotional authenticity and realism of the group dynamic.
Director: Berkley Brady
Brady’s Dark Nature marks her as a director to watch as it is her first feature length film. This is the first step for a new voice to be heard in the horror genre. As a Métis filmmaker, Brady offers a distinct cultural and psychological angle to horror. Her thoughts on female trauma, natural symbolism, introspection, and horror align her with Jennifer Kent (The Babadook) and Natalie Erika James (Relic).
Writer: Berkley Brady (Story by Berkley Brady and Tim Cairo)
The focus of the script is on character and psychological violence rather than gore and horror. Conventional horror elements such as dialogue that is realistic and emotional unease rather than bloodshed is the centerpiece of the film’s pacing.
Cinematography: Jaryl Lim
The beauty and terror of the Canadian wilderness is captured in breathtaking aerial shots of its expanse alongside the emotional vulnerability of the characters. The visual style, characterized by shallow depth and slow pans, mirrors the psychological detachment of the characters and adds to the disturbing quiet of the film.
Music: Ghostkeeper
The soundtrack features ambient and unsettling layers, reinforcing the characters’ sense of dread and isolation. The trauma and tension that the characters undergo is powerfully underscored but the soundtrack never overwhelms.
IMDb Ratings and Critical Reception
With a current rating of 4.6 out of 10, Dark Nature calls IMDb’s rating system into question. It has received, and continues to receive, mixed to balanced reception. The critics and fans of the genre are mixed. The film has received praise for emotional elements and its unique take towards horror, but the opposite side criticizes the film for its ambiguity, pacing, and its creature reveal.
The positive parts of the review takes note of the film’s character driven story, the lead role of the film portrayed by Hannah Emily Anderson, and the film’s thoughtful nature in its handling of trauma. Rather than treating trauma as a shallow gimmick, Dark Nature intends to explore metaphor and psychological horror.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, a lack of reveal to the traditional horror film payoff has disappointed viewers. The creature that is hinted throughout the film is, for the most part, never fully revealed which could leave a part of the audience underwhelmed. The film’s slow-burn structure, which requires time to build tension, risks losing people who prefer instant gratification.
Most, if not all, Dark Nature has gained some praise for being different and for its attempts in addressing emotional realities in a horror context. It premiered at the Fantasia International Film Festival and is now being distributed by Epic Pictures under their Dread Presents label.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Dark Nature has only recently been released, but has already carved a spot for itself in the evolving subgenre of trauma horror, a category of horror where fear is derived from internal psychological wounds. It is in conversation with horror films such as The Babadook, Midsommar, and Saint Maud, all of which center around mental health, grief, and emotional survival.
Berkley Brady’s identity as a Métis filmmaker adds to the film’s themes. While Dark Nature does not explicitly center around Indigenous culture, its themes of land, ancestral fear, and collective trauma imbue the film’s narrative with cultural subtext. Her works in the future, especially after having been recognized as a promising talent in the Canadian and international horror scene, are highly anticipated.
As for the film’s portrayal of women and violence, Dark Nature provides a significant representational gap by focusing on women’s violence, healing, and agency. It offers a nuanced exploration of solidarity and survival instead of exploitation, which is often the case in horror films involving abuse.
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