Paris-based international sales banner Charades has boarded “In a Violent Nature 2,” the sequel to the 2024 horror hit, and is getting ready to give it a big market push at the EFM in Berlin.
The first film, “In a Violent Nature,” had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2024 and quickly became a cult slasher after being released theatrically by Independent Film Company (formerly known as IFC Films) and Shudder.
The sequel, which started shooting in Canada in September and is now in post, brings back Ry Barrett as Johnny, a vengeful, undead killer who embarks on a bloody rampage after a group of teens steal a golden locket that awakens his spirit. In the second film, Johnny heads to a summer camp, where he crosses paths with a young, outcast camper who is forced to spend the night with his counselor sister and her friends at their annual end-of-season party. Lucas Nguyen, Olivia Scriven, Laurie Babin, Fionn Laird, Donald MacLean Jr. and Evan Marsh complete the cast.
The film is written by Chris Nash. Producers are Peter Kuplowsky, Shannon Hanmer, with Nash and Michael James Regan, alongside co-producer Liane Cunje.
Independent Film Company and Shudder first announced the sequel during the Bold Voice of Contemporary Horror panel at San Diego Comic-Con. Upon premiering at Sundance, the movie garnered solid reviews, including in Variety.
“‘In a Violent Nature 2‘ is a first feature, driven by a new vision, with more kills, more blood, hopefully even more iconic,” said Charades’ co-founders Carole Baraton, Pierre Mazars and Yohann Comte.
Kuplowsky pointed out that his “history with Charades dates back to ‘Psycho Goreman.’” “We are thrilled that they continue to have a taste for our gory genre delights,” said Kuplowsky, before adding that “with this sequel, fans can expect an exponential increase of the ol’ ultraviolence with a distinct hook, but one that still collides with storied slasher traditions.”
Charades will also be attending the European Film Market with Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s first-ever period drama “Kokurojo: The Samurai and the Prisoner“; as well as Louis Paxton’s debut feature “The Incomer,” which played at Sundance; and Yoshitoshi Shinomiya’s “A New Dawn,” set to compete at the Berlinale.