With their directorial debut, Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk deliver a genre-blending romp in Hell of a Summer, a campy slasher comedy infused with Gen Z sensibilities and summer nostalgia. Best friends turned filmmakers, the duo set out to pay homage to the horror films they grew up with while giving the genre their own irreverent twist.
Set at the fictional Camp Pineaway, the film opens with the murder of the camp’s longtime owners, John and Kathy, just before training begins. Their absence casts a strange shadow over the arrival of 11 eager teenage counselors, including 24-year-old Jason Hochberg (Fred Hechinger), a long-time camp devotee whose eternal return is as comical as it is slightly tragic. Jason is led to believe he’s being considered to take over the camp’s leadership, but those dreams are swiftly cut short along with a few bodies.
Under the cover of a dark, starry night, a masked killer donning a devil costume begins picking off the counselors one by one. This sets the premise for the film’s brisk 90-minute runtime, as the group scrambles to unmask the killer among them. While the script is admittedly a patchwork of familiar references, such as Scream, Cabin in the Woods, They/Them, and more, it manages to maintain a steady rhythm of light chuckles and genre nods throughout.
The film’s greatest strength lies in its ensemble cast, who capture the spirit of a chaotic summer camp. Each actor brings a distinctive presence, and even the side characters, typically relegated to background filler in films like this, shine with impeccable comedic timing and a strong grasp of their archetypes. While the characterizations may be rooted in familiar tropes, they’re elevated by comforting characters and spirited performances that make the unraveling all the more fun to watch and capture the chaotic spirit of summer camp.
However, where Hell of a Summer falters is in its restraint. The horror elements are notably tame, with most kills happening off-screen or pulled away just before the gushing of the gore. As a slasher, it’s lacking the visceral intensity or inventiveness that fans of the genre might crave. Its PG-13 polish ultimately blunts the bite, leaving the horror element feeling soft and undercooked. If you’re going to make a slasher, have the guts to show the the gore.
Still, Wolfhard and Bryk set out to make a goofy, genre-blending slasher romp and they succeeded. The film coasts on its charm and energy, making for an easy, enjoyable watch. Wolfhard and Bryk’s direction exudes a youthful energy and a genuine love for genre filmmaking.
Hell of a Summer may not be a groundbreaking or add anything new to the slasher horror film, but it breezes by like a late summer sleepover filtered through the lens of Gen-Z horror comedy. It is apparent that it was a hell of a lot of fun to make, and a bloody good time to watch.
