When an eccentric park ranger crosses paths with a grieving hiker, he offers his help in finding the perfect spot to scatter the hiker’s father’s ashes. As they venture deeper into the remote wilderness, the ranger’s true intentions begin to blur.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31407285/

Review by Andie Kay:

When Alan’s father passes he is tasked with fulfilling his dad’s last wish by scattering his ashes in the Sierra National Forest. As Alan is taking a moment to grieve he encounters Ranger Dan, who offers to help him find the perfect spot…But not everything is what it seems.

Set in 1978 the Cinematographer and Director, Sean Cruser did an excellent job in making the entire film look like it was from the late 70’s. The attention to detail in the costuming, hair, and makeup was absolute perfection. Even the score added this nostalgia but also a sinister undercurrent.

Tyler Beveridge starred as Alan and wrote the screenplay for this film. The storyline is so engaging and written beautifully. Tyler understood how to build the suspense without giving the twist away. At the same time giving you a little morsel so you think you know what’s going on when you don’t. That in and of itself is next level writing, not to mention that Alan’s acting chops are also top notch! Murphy Patrick Martin portrays Ranger Dan and I must admit, the southern accent threw me and pulled me out of it for a moment especially when that accent started to fade but by the end, it made so much sense!

The entire cast did a wonderful job and everything about this short film is unbelievably clever, including the title. The Nature of Death – a smart play on words and a bit of foreshadowing. If national forests and parks didn’t make you feel uneasy before? They will now.