Hell of a Summer is the debut feature film of Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk, who share co-directing, writing, and acting credits. The film originally premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, after which it was acquired for a theatrical release and subsequently came out in April 2025. It is a horror-comedy which modernizes the humor-laden, summer camp slasher archetype.
The film serves as a lighthearted tribute to 1980s slasher films such as Friday the 13th and Sleepaway Camp, employing a self-aware, irony-drenched touch that features Gen-Z protagonists. The result is an experience that is nostalgic yet light in nature, prioritizing character-driven comedy and over-the-top situations rather than horror.
Plot Summary
Set in the fictional Camp Pineway, the story opens with a classic horror prologue: the camp’s owners John and Kathy are slashed to death in the woods at night by a masked figure donning a devil helmet. This sets the tone for what seems to be a standard slasher storyline.
Counselor orientation begins shortly thereafter, and returning counselor Jason Hochberg, played by Fred Hechinger, prepares for what he hopes will be one last glorious summer. At 24, Jason is now aging out of the camp lifestyle but still cherishes the memories and the camp’s traditions. He returns hoping to lead the younger group of counselors with guidance and optimism.
Alongside him are Claire (Abby Quinn), Jason’s ex-girlfriend; Ezra (Matthew Finlan), a flamboyant theater kid; Demi (Pardis Saremi), a social media-obsessed influencer; Miley the astrology-obsessed vegan, and a dark, goth-inspired duo, Mike and Noelle. Also, there is Bobby, a humorously brash jock. Directors Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk also appear in supporting roles.
As the counselors wait for the campers to arrive, a masked killer begins to eliminate them one by one. While tension and gore are staples of horror, the film focuses on its comedic elements. Set pieces are accompanied by fervent talk about crystals, zodiac signs, and TikTok trends.
In the end, the group finds out the murders are committed by two of their counselors as part of a twisted social media experiment. Their goal is to go viral by staging a real-life slasher event.
This twist leads to a frenzied third act in which Claire becomes the most heroic and resourceful character of the group, rescuing Jason and Bobby while defeating one of the killers. The remaining campers, alongside the arriving police and medics, abandon the cursed grounds of Camp Pineway, forever changed but alive.
Characters and Performances
Fred Hechinger’s performance as Jason is both rooted and heartfelt, capturing the nostalgic and sincere camp-goer who straddles the line between adulthood and childhood. His nostalgia infuses the film with genuine emotional depth.
Claire, played by Abby Quinn, is one of the standout performers. The character possesses agency alongside multifaceted depth, displaying grit and determination. Claire’s shift from passive observer to final girl feels realistic and was earned, thanks to Quinn’s sincere performance.
Pardis Saremi’s portrayal of Demi brings much of the comic relief to the film. Her character initially seems like a stereotype of a modern influencer, but her arc takes a darker turn when she is revealed to be one of the murderers. Ezra, played by Matthew Finlan, adds additional humor with his over-the-top mannerisms; the rest of the cast also contributes to the humor by self-aware characterization.
Bryk and Wolfhard choose to take smaller roles so that the ensemble can take the spotlight, but their fingerprints are all over the comedian structure and self-referential tone of the film.
Direction and Style
Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk, as first-time feature film directors, demonstrate clear enthusiasm for the genre, as well as an appreciation for slasher classics. Their direction is straightforward: prioritizing character interactions over elaborate horror sequences, and pacing over elaborate set pieces.
Kristofer Bonnell’s cinematography puts the camp’s natural setting to good use. The forests and cabins, along with the wide shots of the night sky, are reminiscent of classic slasher films; however, the lighting and production design bring them up to date.
The music and editing in the film help establish a retro tone with brisk cuts and forward-leaning momentum, heavily featuring synths. Overall, the aesthetic straddles the borderline between parody and homage.
At its core, Hell of a Summer is a horror-comedy that examines youth culture, identity, and the anxiety surrounding adulthood through the lens of genre conventions. Jason’s portion of the story is particularly illustrative of fears associated with growing older, like moving on from cherished places and rituals.
The film’s satire of Gen-Z is more focused as a supporting feature, with mentions of astrology, social media notoriety, and online fame. While not central to the plot, Demi and other similar characters serve as both the embodiment and the critique of performative culture that the film tenderly critiques.
Rather than intense psychological or visceral horror, the film functions more as a hangout movie with intermittent jump scares. The focus is on spending time with endearing characters rather than establishing consistent tension.
Reception and Impact
Critical reviews of Hell of a Summer have been mixed but lean towards the positive end of the spectrum. Reviewers highlighted the ensemble cast, praising the directors’ clear affection for the genre. Comedic timing, character interactions, and nostalgic elements were emphasized as strong aspects.
Critics also commented on the absence of authentic horror elements and the lackluster gore the film showcased, as most of the kills appeared off-screen or lacked the abundant blood one might expect from a slasher film, thereby appealing to neither hardcore horror aficionados nor casual viewers. In my opinion, the film did draw inspiration from many clichés, but failed to deeply analyze or creatively transform them, thus lacking originality.
Younger audiences seem to appreciate the comedy the film offers, proving its appeal to a more relaxed demographic. It has been framed as an enjoyable and easy.”
“It has been framed as an enjoyable and easy introduction into the slasher subgenre for audiencesrhorror movies”>to the slasher subgenre for those viewers who may not be prepared for severe horror films”
Final Thoughts
Whether or not Hell of a Summer is regarded as a film of significance, it indeed serves as a delightful and skillful tribute to slasher films, notable for its appealing characters, humor and visually striking cinematography.
Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk showcase a great understanding of tone and structure for their first feature length film as directors. While their film does not introduce any new ideas to the genre, it ‘77-80s slasher films with a fresh, comedic twist.
Does horror, comedy or light sagas that have an underlying sense of heart appeal to you? If it does, I strongly recommend you watch ‘Hell of a Summer’. The film gave me a fresh perspective on a certain golden period of my life; summer camps, masked murderers, and humor provide such a fun balance when juxtaposed.
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