Dark Nature

Dark Nature

Year: 2023

Runtime: 85 min

Language: English

Director: Berkley Brady

Echo Score: 36
Horror

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.

Tense
Ambiguous ending
Emotionally heavy
High intensity
Steady pacing
Simple story

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Dark Nature (2023)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Dark Nature (2023). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The events of the movie take place in a contemporary setting, as joy struggles with present-day issues such as abuse and mental health. The story unfolds over a significant period, with flashbacks to traumatic moments contributing to the characters' struggles. The modern context amplifies the relevance of the themes explored in the narrative.

Location

Woods, Cavern

The movie is primarily set in the serene yet foreboding woods, an ideal place for a retreat but also a breeding ground for fear and trauma. The cavern serves as a dark and ominous backdrop, symbolizing the internal struggles faced by the characters. The contrast between the beauty of nature and the horrors they experience highlights the vulnerability of the human psyche.

🏞️ Nature 🌌 Dark 🏕️ Retreat

Last Updated: June 11, 2025 at 06:36

Main Characters – Dark Nature (2023)

Meet the key characters of Dark Nature (2023), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Joy (Hannah Emily Anderson)

Joy is a resilient character who brings a deep sense of vulnerability painted by her past trauma with Derek. Despite her struggles with fear and hallucinations, she embodies strength as she fights to overcome her abusive relationship. Her transformation from victim to warrior forms the crux of her character arc, highlighting the complexity of healing.

💪 Strength 😢 Resilience 🌟 Protagonist

Derek (Daniel Smith Arnold)

Derek serves as the embodiment of Joy's trauma, representing the dangers of abusive relationships. His menacing presence looms over the story, despite being physically absent for much of it. As a character, he showcases the psychological torment inflicted on victims and the haunting persistence of such figures in an abuser's life.

👿 Villain 🔪 Abuser

Carmen (Madison Walsh)

Carmen is a supportive friend who seeks to help Joy on her healing journey. She embodies compassion and loyalty but is also confronted with her life-threatening situations during the retreat. Her character represents the challenges of support systems in the face of trauma, playing a crucial role in Joy's battle against her fears.

🌸 Friend 👩‍⚕️ Supporter

Dr. Dunnley (Kyra Harper)

Dr. Dunnley represents the voice of reason and guidance in the movie, attempting to lead Joy and her friends through their trauma. However, her own vulnerabilities and the turmoil of the retreat put her on a path that echoes the very fears she seeks to dispel. Her character illustrates the complexities that mental health professionals face when helping others.

🎓 Therapist 🤝 Guide

Shaina (Roseanne Supernault)

Shaina is another retreat participant who grapples with her own past traumas, creating a connection with Joy. Her insights and experiences reflect the shared struggle of overcoming personal demons. Through her character, the film explores themes of camaraderie and the weight of collective trauma amongst survivors.

🤝 Survivor 🌅 Companion

Last Updated: June 11, 2025 at 06:36

Major Themes – Dark Nature (2023)

Explore the central themes of Dark Nature (2023), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Abuse

Abuse is a central theme in the film, exploring Joy's harrowing experiences at the hands of her boyfriend Derek. Through her journey, the film aims to shed light on the emotional and psychological scars left by such trauma. The contrast between her past life and her current struggles emphasizes the long-lasting effects of abusive relationships.

🌪️ Trauma

Trauma is intricately woven throughout the story as characters confront their nightmares and hallucinations. As Joy and her friends navigate their retreat, they are symbolically and literally haunted by their pasts. The film portrays trauma not just as a personal burden but as a shared human experience that can manifest in unexpected and terrifying ways.

🐉 Fear

Fear drives the narrative, manifesting in Joy's hallucinations and the terrifying creature in the woods. This theme highlights how fear can distort reality, blurring the lines between safety and danger. As the characters face physical and psychological threats, their fears intensify, forcing them to confront their hidden demons.

Last Updated: June 11, 2025 at 06:36

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Dark Nature Summary

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Dark Nature Summary

Dark Nature Timeline

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Dark Nature Timeline

Dark Nature Ending Explained

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Dark Nature Ending Explained

Dark Nature Spoiler-Free Summary

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Dark Nature Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Dark Nature

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More About Dark Nature

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Dark Nature (2023) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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Dark Nature (2023) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow