Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk’s directorial debut, “Hell of a Summer,” is exactly what its title promises – a silly, chaotic and darkly comedic spin on the classic summer-camp-slasher trope.
Set at a summer camp on the verge of shutting down, the story kicks off with your usual suspects: nonchalant teens, creepy woods and a mysterious masked killer. Though a pretty predictable plot, “Hell of a Summer” truly shines in its self-awareness. Think “Scream” meets “Wet Hot American Summer!” The film pokes fun at horror cliches while still delivering all the thrills – bloody kills, suspenseful chases and a few genuinely chilling jump scares.
Francine here – as a “Stranger Things” fan, I’ve followed Wolfhard since he first starred in his role as the awkwardly endearing Mike, and I believe “Hell of a Summer” proves he’s just as talented behind the camera as he is in front of it. His direction, alongside Bryk’s, is playful yet intentional, and it is evident that the duo had fun with this film. The writing is filled with witty banter and unexpected emotional parts, grounding the film amid the chaos. The rest of the cast leans into the camp (pun intended) humor and each character feels like a fun twist on the usual horror archetypes.
A big part of the film’s charm comes from its Gen-Z sense of humor. The dialogue is snappy, unserious and filled with sarcasm – characters roast each other with ease, making for natural, laugh-out-loud chemistry between the cast. The ensemble features exaggerated-but-relatable types like the overly intense theater kid, the egocentric himbo, the uptight vegan and the quiet emo girl with the Ouija board. It’s absurd in the best way and totally in tune with its generation.
Hayley hopping in here – to totally agree with Francine! This film, despite being predictable and following the summer-camp-slasher film layout to a tee, really did so in such a modern and in-touch way to this generation. Which makes sense, considering Wolfhard was 19 when this film first debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023. Before hitting a few streaming platforms quietly in 2024, and then finally making its way to the United States this month.
Wolfhard manages to balance expectations of a slasher-horror, paying homage to “Friday the 13th” with the character Jason, and copying a well-known shot from the film, all while seamlessly incorporating the humor of our chronically online generation Z. A feat that easily could have missed the mark, instead was executed expertly well, showcasing Wolfhard’s amount of experience in the industry.
When asked how he created the tone for the film, Wolfhard explains, “I’m just a 22-year-old guy who’s going through the same weird stuff that people who are in their early 20s go through, just in a different kind of way.” Using his knowledge of the acting world from his roles in “Stranger Things,” “Ghostbusters,” “It” and also the newly released “Legend of Ochi” and his real-life experiences as a young adult, Wolfhard manages to remain humble in describing his vision and success with this movie.
Another cleverly curated element to this film is the soundtrack. Created by Jay McCarrol, he brings in a blend of ‘80s classics, once again evoking the all too familiar feelings one gets watching slasher-horror while sneaking in a few new artists who carry a similar tone and energy but with the modern vision of this day and age.
“Hell of a Summer” is a great film to lead us into the summer. A solid 3 out of 5 for us, a film better enjoyed with a group of friends at home or, better yet, while on a camping adventure this summer! Just don’t forget to pack the vegan options, Ouija board and friendship bracelet making supplies, maybe even some bear mace… because you never know who or what may be lurking in the woods or worse yet, in your very own circle of friends.
