‘The Nature of Death’ Film Review
Nature has a profound way of showing her beauty. It’s more than just what our eyes see; it’s how it opens our hearts and unites our souls. But as I discovered watching The Nature of Death, nature also holds a dark patch, often disguised and overpowering. Director Sean Cruser, who fittingly describes his work as visually screaming into the abyss through cinema, certainly proves his point with this chilling short film.
The Nature of Death took me on an unforgettable hike deep into the Sierra National Forest. I followed Alan, played with compelling vulnerability by the film’s writer and producer Tyler Beveridge. Alan is searching for peace, hoping to find the perfect spot to scatter his father’s ashes in the wilderness his father adored. The film initially wraps you in the subtle warmth of this quest, amplified by some truly enigmatic cinematography. I felt the calm, the serenity, the attempt to connect heart, spirit, and nature – a moment designed to be treasured.
But this is where Sean Cruser, a director whose bio mentions he’s helmed “tens of dozens” of independent films and is an “unrelenting workaholic” (which shows in the film’s tight execution), begins to masterfully turn the screw. Alan’s solitary journey is interrupted by the sudden appearance of Ranger Dan. Murphy Martin steps into this role and, believe me, he killed it. His portrayal of the eccentric ranger, initially offering help, becomes the chilling pivot point of the entire film.
What started as a seemingly innocent offer to guide Alan turned into… well, I wouldn’t want to spill too many juicy details. As the synopsis warns, as they venture deeper, the ranger’s true intentions blur. Let me just say, the friendly approach morphs into someone’s worst nightmare. The collaboration between Beveridge as the grieving hiker and Martin as the unnerving ranger is exquisite; their scenes together crackle with an authentic, cold suspense that defines the best of the thriller genre.
I have to say, I loved every bit of this movie! The twist? Immaculate. It checks all the boxes for a genuine suspense thriller. The way Cruser builds the atmosphere, starting warm and serene before yanking the rug out from under you into terrifying turmoil, is executed with finesse. The unpredictability is masterful.
It’s clear that Sean Cruser, along with his key collaborators Tyler Beveridge (pulling double duty as writer/producer/’Alan’), producer and “Ranger Dan” Murphy Patrick Martin, supporting cast Torean Thomas (“Mark”) and Bix Kreiger (“Suzy”), and Executive Producer Gavin Michael Booth, delivered a classic genre piece with superb execution. This film leveled up the definition of “breathtaking” for me, blending majestic scenery with heart-pounding tension.
Great job to this entire team. Based on The Nature of Death, I’m definitely hoping to see more from the exceptional director Sean Cruser – his cinematic screams are ones I want to keep hearing. Don’t miss this memorable, and deeply unsettling, trip to the Sierras.
