The Nature of the Beast (1995)

Two men, both hiding a deadly secret, are on a murderous rampage through the desert.

Director:

Victor Salva

Writer:

Victor Salva

Stars:

Eric Roberts, Lance Henriksen, Brion James

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Eric Roberts	...	Adrian (Dusty)
Lance Henriksen	...	Jack Powell
Brion James	...	Sheriff Gordon
Frank Novak	...	Manfred
William A. Temple	...	Elderly gentleman
Earl Theroux	...	Mr. Winneman
Lila Garrett	...	Mrs. Winneman
Eloy Casados	...	Sheriff #1
Eliza Roberts	...	Patsy
Hollace Colburn	...	Counter waitress
Bob May	...	Trooper in diner
Sara Young	...	Lady in diner
John Toles-Bey	...	Trooper at roadblock
Zachary Weintraub	...	Young man at motel (as Zachary Bogatz)
Curt Darling	...	Queasy deputy

Storyline

Jack meets Adrian out in Nevada. Adrian latches on to Jack, and won't go away. Jack tries to lose Adrian, but Adrian informs Jack not to mess with him, or he'll call the police because he knows Jack's secret. In the meantime, the car radio keeps blaring news reports of a serial killer in the area called "The Hatchet Man", as well as a theft of a huge sum of money from a local casino. Jack is concealing a briefcase, and wherever he and Adrian go, "The Hatchet Man" seems to strike within the vicinity!

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Plot Keywords:

desert | serial killer | motel | diner | cabin | 

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Taglines:

All men are created evil.

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Genres:

Crime | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for hard drug use, strong language, a sex scene and some terror/violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 October 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Nature of the Beast

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Itasca Pictures, New Line Cinema, Norstar Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Adrian: There's two places they send people who are havin' too good a time. One's church, the other's prison. And I done time in both, Jack.

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Connections

References The Wizard of Oz (1939)

User Reviews

An underrated masterpiece...

I must confess something about this movie... I really think this is one of the best ever made. The first time I saw it I didn't know what it was about or who appeared in it. When Lance Henriksen and especially Eric Roberts were in the lead I felt the title and the combination of these two character actors must be quite good. Now after seeing it I can most surely say that it wasn't good.. it was totally DYNAMITE!

Eric Roberts is a great actor. Even if he sometimes takes on a movie part too much... I love some of his work. Especially "The Specialist", "In Cold Blood", "Runaway Train" and this one. His worst is "Rude Awakening". There is something in his acting that can't be seen anywhere else. His Adrian is by far one of his best performances.

Lance Henriksen has much in common with Roberts. He also has his own acting way and all who have seen him in the great show "Millennium" knows what I'm talking about.

Both Roberts and Henriksen should be bigger stars in Hollywood.

The great story with its oddities and chilling atmosphere have made me seen it about four-five times already. I think I will look at it again tonight, because I know I will be in a good mood afterwards. I feel "Nature of the Beast" is my own movie. I found it before others and made my point of view before any judgment was typed down by anyone. Still it's very unknown, but this movie has proven that you can and will find unknown movies that is much better than many of the big productions Hollywood give us.

I specially love the ending, even though it's a masterpiece all the way through.