DARK NATURE (2022)

Streaming on Tubi from Dread!
Directed by Berkley Brady.
Written by Berkley Brady, Tim Cairo.
Check out the trailer here!!

Five women, all dealing with their own personal and relationship issues, go on a camping trip in an attempt to be one with nature and maybe even heal a little bit. But the serenity of the woods begins to play tricks on their minds and deep in the woods, a monster is lurking in the shadows.

Is it a Bigfoot movie when the movie itself doesn’t identify the monster as Bigfoot? I am leaning towards yes, as dark nature definitely has a large, man-like monster covered in hair, scars, and its own recent kills. While the monster in this film represents a number of things to each member of the therapy group, it still exists in their world as this snarling beast. There may be no information really given about the monster, but it does not only serve as a strong metaphor for each of these women’s issues, but also as a terrifying, hulking menace to them in the physical world. So, sure, while it never calls the monster Bigfoot, the monster could pass as Bigfoot any old day.

DARK NATURE is a strong film, reminiscent of THE DESCENT, which itself was ripe with metaphorical challenges for its cast, as well as a physical one. It’s a woman versus nature film where the point of the whole movie is simply survival. Leads DON’T SAY ITS NAME’s Madison Walsh and JIGSAW’s Hannah Emily Anderson are both very good actors, as both deliver a physically demanding performance as well as one that is emotionally potent. Anderson plays an abused woman and does so in ways that isn’t often depicted in film—she isn’t strong, and she gives in to her emotionally and physically abusive boyfriend. This is a role far too many women play in real life, but it doesn’t really fit the character of what Hollywood likes to promote as a female lead. Anderson gives her character flaws. She is terrified of her boyfriend yet gives in to him. While she is given a nice redemptive arc, it is more of a realistic one than any “Go Gurl” moment. Walsh is also great here as Anderson’s best friend who supports her emotional growth but has reached her limits as to how long she can sit back and watch her best friend hurt herself by being with this man. All of this emotional heft is communicated through flashbacks and a few meaningful conversations, and while it is important to the story, it never slows down the pace.

I’m going to give DARK NATURE Four solid feets!

While it’s not exactly a Bigfoot film, it fits into the category nicely. Director Berkley Brady delivers some arduous wilderness action that never feels sensationalized and a monster that truly is terrifying. I really like the way the monster of DARK NATURE is slowly revealed. At first, it sort of appears as what the women want to see—mainly past traumas, but eventually the real threat of the monster reveals itself and it is quite disturbing.