Horror films thrive on creativity; the genre is built around conventions that are just begging to be stretched, contorted, or entirely reinvented. That’s why it’s disappointing to see many recent horror films merely rehashing familiar concepts. However, last year introduced two genuinely innovative horror films — Azrael and In a Violent Nature — that offered daring new perspectives within the genre. Now that they are both available for streaming on Hulu, you can experience them for yourself.
In a Violent Nature features a straightforward premise: it’s a slasher film that follows the killer rather than the victims. While this concept is brilliant in theory, executing it poses a significant challenge. After all, most horror villains are not known for their eloquence, and, while their acts of violence may be striking, these moments typically represent only a fraction of the film’s duration.
Upon deeper reflection, a slasher centered around the killer would primarily focus on their movements. That’s precisely what In a Violent Nature achieves: a stunningly shot, serene film depicting a large monster that quietly traverses landscapes in search of the teenagers who disturbed his metaphysical slumber. Naturally, when he inevitably confronts those teens, they face grisly fates. However, the tranquil moments in between create a unique sense of time and pacing, setting it apart from any other slasher you’ve encountered.
Azrael, in contrast, adopts a more apocalyptic tone. Set after the rapture, it follows a woman named Azrael (Samara Weaving) as she escapes from her cult, which has embraced a vow of silence due to their belief that speech barred them from heaven. Revealing too much about the film would spoil some of its intrigue, but it’s enough to say that the wilderness Azrael flees into is filled with bizarre, demonic beings, and her former cult’s agenda extends beyond mere silence.
The film is a thrilling ride, beautifully filmed, but what truly sets Azrael apart is its minimal use of dialogue. Even without spoken words, the film’s captivating world resonates profoundly, and Weaving’s ability to convey emotion through her expressive eyes makes her an ideal protagonist for this silent, post-apocalyptic journey.
Each of these films is compelling in its own right, but together they inspire hope for a wave of innovation in the horror genre. While we anticipate more fresh and original films on the horizon, you can enjoy both In a Violent Nature and Azrael on Hulu in the meantime.
