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Horror film

Dark Nature (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Dark Nature (2023) movie poster

Dark Nature is a 2023 horror film directed by Berkley Brady, starring Hannah Emily Anderson as Joy, Daniel Smith Arnold and Madison Walsh. It runs 1 hour 25 minutes and earned $33,003 worldwide on a $1 million budget. Critics gave it 72% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 4.4/10.

IMDb rating
4.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
72%
worldwide gross
$33K
Echo Score
36
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Dark Nature (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 25m (85 min)
Director
Berkley Brady
Genre
Horror
Original language
English
Budget
$1M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Dark Nature About?

The premise of Dark Nature without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Seeking refuge from a traumatic past, Joy joins a therapy group for a retreat in the remote Canadian Rockies. Under the guidance of the mysterious Dr. Dunnley, the group aims to escape their everyday lives. However, as they delve deeper into the wilderness, a growing sense of paranoia grips the participants. Joy finds herself increasingly convinced that her past abuser is somehow present, or if her fears are rooted in something even more disturbing. The line between reality and terror begins to dissolve as she confronts her deepest anxieties.

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Cast & crew

Dark Nature Cast & Characters

Hannah Emily Anderson leads the cast as Joy, with Daniel Smith Arnold as Derek and Madison Walsh as Carmen. Directed by Berkley Brady; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Dark Nature

· 6 more
Ratings

Dark Nature Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Dark Nature 72% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 4.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 36/100, strongest in art & craft (45) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

36 /100

Dark Nature Echo Score Breakdown

Dark Nature presents a thematically ambitious horror entry that struggles to translate its trauma focus into a cohesive cinematic experience. The film benefits from moments of visual strength and a committed female ensemble, yet its derivative narrative, uneven pacing, and inconsistent performances undermine its impact. Audience reactions skew heavily negative, highlighting shallow character work and a lack of narrative payoff, while a minority appreciate its atmospheric intent. Overall, the movie delivers limited lasting appeal and falls short of its intended resonance.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of direction and visual craft, the film showcases striking forest imagery and effective use of setting that underline its thematic core. Critics note a confident handling of atmosphere, yet many observers point to derivative visual motifs and uneven editing that hamper immersion. Production design is praised for its authentic feel, but execution flaws dilute overall artistic cohesion. The net impression is a mixed but visually competent effort.

  • Character & Emotion 35

    When evaluating acting and emotional depth, the cast delivers moments of nuance, particularly among the female leads, granting the story occasional resonance. However, a substantial portion of feedback cites shallow performances, unlikable characterizations, and dialogue that fails to engage. The intended exploration of trauma is often eclipsed by rote portrayals, resulting in inconsistent emotional impact. Consequently, character work is perceived as largely underwhelming.

  • Story & Flow 38

    Regarding plot structure and pacing, the narrative maintains a brisk runtime that avoids overt haste, and some reviewers commend a coherent central premise. Nonetheless, the story is frequently described as derivative, with underdeveloped backstories and a vague conclusion that leave key questions unanswered. Originality suffers due to clear influences from established genre entries, leading to a sense of narrative messiness. Overall, the storyline is judged uneven and inadequately satisfying.

  • Sensory Experience 45

    In sensory experience, the film excels in visual composition, offering rich mountainous forest vistas that enhance thematic undertones. Atmospheric sound design attempts to build tension, yet several critiques highlight inconsistent audio quality and a soundtrack that lacks cohesion. While the visual style receives praise for its muted palette and texture, the auditory elements fail to fully support the horror mood. The sensory impression is therefore mixed, leaning toward a visually strong but sonically weak execution.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    Assessing replay value, certain viewers appreciate the film's thematic ambition and moments of genuine suspense, suggesting limited repeat interest for niche audiences. The majority, however, report that derivative plot points, weak character arcs, and a lack of narrative payoff diminish lasting appeal. The unsettling atmosphere offers brief intrigue, but overall memorability is low, resulting in minimal motivation for subsequent viewings. Consequently, the rewatch factor is considered relatively poor.

Plot

Dark Nature Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Dark Nature from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Joy, portrayed by Hannah Emily Anderson, endures a harrowing relationship with her abusive boyfriend, Derek, played by Daniel Smith Arnold. One fateful night, Derek’s violent tendencies escalate as he attempts to strangle Joy. In a desperate act of self-defense, she manages to fend him off and locks herself in a secure room. However, when she emerges, she is devastated to discover that he has taken her beloved dog’s life.

Full summary

The whole story of Dark Nature, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Dark Nature Box Office & Budget

Dark Nature grossed $33,003 worldwide on a $1 million budget.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$33K

International
$33K
Budget
$1M
Videos

Dark Nature Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Dark Nature.

Dark Nature | Official Trailer | Horror Brains
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Dark Nature?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What does Joy's boyfriend Derek attempt to do to her at the beginning of the movie?

Cars

Cars in Dark Nature

7 cars on screen, including the Land-Rover LR3 and the 2015 Ford Focus ST.

All 7 cars
  • Land-Rover LR3 in Dark Nature Land-Rover LR3 Important role
  • 2015 Ford Focus ST in Dark Nature 2015 Ford Focus ST Background role
  • 2007 Jeep Patriot in Dark Nature 2007 Jeep Patriot Background role
  • 2004 Toyota Mark X in Dark Nature 2004 Toyota Mark X Background role
Details

Dark Nature Also Known As

7 alternative titles, including “黑暗自然” and “Спуск: Новая глава”.

Also known as
  • 黑暗自然
  • Спуск: Новая глава
  • 다크 네이처
  • טבע אפל
  • Karanlık Doğa
  • Terreur Sauvage
  • Mroczna natura

Seen Dark Nature?

FAQ

Dark Nature FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Dark Nature, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Dark Nature?

Dark Nature runs 1 hour 25 minutes (85 minutes).

When was Dark Nature released?

Dark Nature was released on May 19, 2023.

Who directed Dark Nature?

Dark Nature was directed by Berkley Brady.

Who is in the cast of Dark Nature?

Dark Nature stars Hannah Emily Anderson as Joy, Daniel Smith Arnold as Derek and Madison Walsh as Carmen, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Dark Nature make at the box office?

Dark Nature grossed $33,003 worldwide on a budget of $1 million.

How is Dark Nature rated?

Dark Nature has 4.4/10 on IMDb, 72% on Rotten Tomatoes, 54% on TMDB and 2.4/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Dark Nature have a post-credit scene?

No. Dark Nature has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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