Hell of a Summer (2025) – Movie Review
Director: Finn Wolfhard & Billy Bryk Genre: Horror-Comedy, Slasher Runtime: 88 minutes Rating: R
Introduction
“Hell of a Summer” is a fresh take on the classic summer camp slasher genre, directed by Finn Wolfhard (of Stranger Things fame) and Billy Bryk. The film blends horror and comedy, paying homage to iconic slasher films like Friday the 13th while injecting a modern, self-aware twist.
Plot Summary
The story follows Jason (Fred Hechinger), a 24-year-old who refuses to let go of his childhood memories at Camp Pineway. Returning as a counselor, he finds himself surrounded by a group of stereotypical camp staff, including the popular girl Demi (Pardis Saremi), the cool guy Mike (D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai), and the wannabe cool guy Bobby (Billy Bryk).
Everything seems normal until a masked killer starts picking off counselors one by one. As paranoia spreads, Jason and his fellow counselors must figure out who the murderer is before they all meet a gruesome fate.
Strengths
- Sharp Humor: The film leans heavily into comedy, with clever dialogue and well-timed jokes. Bryk’s character Bobby delivers some of the funniest moments, making the film more entertaining than terrifying.
- Nostalgic Slasher Elements: Fans of classic horror will appreciate the nods to Friday the 13th and Sleepaway Camp, with eerie forest settings and suspenseful chase sequences.
- Strong Performances: Fred Hechinger shines as Jason, bringing a mix of awkwardness and charm to his role. Wolfhard and Bryk also showcase their comedic chemistry.
Weaknesses
- Lack of Genuine Horror: While the film has creative kills, it doesn’t deliver many truly scary moments. The horror elements feel secondary to the comedy.
- Predictable Killer Reveal: The mystery surrounding the masked murderer lacks depth, making the final twist somewhat underwhelming.
- Editing Issues: Some scenes feel abrupt, and the pacing could have been smoother to balance the horror and comedy elements.
Final Verdict
“Hell of a Summer” is an enjoyable horror-comedy that leans more into laughs than scares. While it doesn’t reinvent the slasher genre, it successfully delivers an entertaining mix of nostalgia, humor, and campy horror. Fans of Wolfhard and Bryk will appreciate their directorial debut, and horror-comedy lovers will find plenty to enjoy.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Would you watch this movie, or do you prefer classic horror films? 🎬🔥