Hell of a Summer explained
Director: | |
Producer: | |
Starring: | |
Music: | Jay McCarrol |
Cinematography: | Kristofer Bonnell |
Studio: | |
Distributor: | Neon |
Runtime: | 88 minutes |
Language: | English |
Hell of a Summer is a 2023 comedy-horror film written and directed by Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk (in his directorial debut). It stars Fred Hechinger, Abby Quinn, Bryk, Wolfhard, Pardis Saremi and D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai.
It premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2023, and is set to be released by Neon in 2025.
Premise
As the counselors are getting Camp Pineway ready the night before the campers arrive, a masked killer begins killing the staff.
Cast
Production
Hell of a Summer was announced in July 2022 with Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk writing, directing and starring in the film, making it Bryk's directorial debut. Fred Hechinger joined the cast and also produces with Aggregate Films' Jason Bateman and Michael Costigan, and Parts and Labor's Jay Van Hoy.[1] [2] Wolfhard (who was 20 years old at the time) told Entertainment Weekly that he initially struggled to find a financer for the film, with potential investors often citing his age as the reason.[3] Inspiration for the film came from Edgar Wright's Shaun of the Dead (2004).[4]
Principal photography began in July 2022 in Ontario, Canada and wrapped that August.[1] [5] By December, the film was in the editing process and in post-production by February 2023.[6] [2]
Release
Hell of a Summer premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2023, where it was named second runner-up for the People's Choice Award for Midnight Madness.[7] [8] In August 2024, Neon acquired the United States distribution rights and set a release in 2025.[9]
Reception
Valerie Complex of Deadline Hollywood gave the film a positive review. She praised Wolfhard and Bryk's direction, saying "they craft a distinct cinematic piece that is both a tribute to and a reinvention of the slasher genre". She wrote the film's lighting was an issue, which causes some of the nighttime scenes to be dimly lit. She ended her review writing that the film "is a delightful mix that strikes the right balance of '80s horror nostalgia and fresh, modern creativity. While it occasionally stumbles in its visual execution, the clever narrative and sharp societal insights ensure it’s a movie worth watching".[10]
Jourdain Searles from The Hollywood Reporter ended her review saying, "The biggest problem with Hell of a Summer is that there's really not much to say about it. Watching it is like being in a freshman film class in which the professor is asking everyone to come up with detailed notes on how to improve the film. But making a film is still an achievement in itself, paving the way for more polished work in the future. Maybe it's enough that Hell of a Summer leaves us eagerly wondering what Bryk and Wolfhard will make next".[11]
Notes and References
- Web site: Grobar . Matt . 2022-07-18 . Hell Of A Summer: D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Abby Quinn & Pardis Saremi Join Horror-Comedy From Directors Finn Wolfhard & Billy Bryk . 2023-02-07 . . August 31, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230831202756/https://deadline.com/2022/07/dpharaoh-woon-a-tai-abby-quinn-pardis-saremi-join-hell-of-a-summer-1235071546/ . live .
- Web site: Lang . Brent . 2023-02-06 . Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk's Directorial Debut Hell of a Summer Drops First Look, Altitude Film Sales Boards Horror-Comedy (Exclusive) . 2023-02-07 . . February 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230207003653/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/first-look-image-finn-wolfhard-billy-bryk-hell-of-a-summer-berlin-efm-1235514681/ . live .
- Nick . Romano . Finn Wolfhard says people thought he was too young to direct slasher . 2023-06-06 . . June 6, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230606164922/https://ew.com/movies/finn-wolfhard-hell-of-a-summer-financiers-thought-he-was-too-young-to-direct/ . live .
- Web site: Franklin . McKinley . 2023-09-09 . How Shaun of the Dead Inspired Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk's Directorial Debut Hell of a Summer . 2023-09-11 . . September 10, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230910163714/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/finn-wolfhard-billy-bryk-hell-of-a-summer-tiff-1235717208/ . live .
- Web site: Finn Wolfhard on Instagram: "We wrapped". 2023-01-19. Instagram. https://web.archive.org/web/20230119051353/https://www.instagram.com/p/ChGbjhlMBL-/. January 19, 2023. bot: unknown.
- Web site: O'Rourke . Ryan . 2022-12-12 . Finn Wolfhard Teases What to Expect From His Directorial Debut Hell of a Summer [Exclusive] ]. 2023-01-19 . . August 31, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230831202855/https://collider.com/finn-wolfhard-hell-of-a-summer-comments-directorial-debut/ . live .
- Steve Pond, "‘American Fiction’ Wins Toronto Film Festival’s Audience Award" . TheWrap, September 17, 2023.
- Web site: Complex . Valerie . 2023-08-03 . TIFF Unveils Cinematic First Looks With Discovery And Midnight Madness Program; World Premieres Include Hell Of A Summer, Gonzo Girl, Widow Clicquot, And Boy Kills World . 2023-08-03 . . August 31, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230831202752/https://deadline.com/2023/08/tiff-discovery-and-midnight-madness-program-1235453808/ . live .
- Web site: Rubin . Rebecca . 2024-08-20 . Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk's Directorial Debut Hell of a Summer Sells to Neon . 2024-08-20 . Variety.
- Web site: Complex . Valerie . 2023-09-11 . Hell Of A Summer Review: Finn Wolfhard & Billy Bryk's Feature Helming Debut Takes A Nostalgic Dive Into Slasher Cinema – Toronto Film Festival . 2023-09-11 . . September 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230911204302/https://deadline.com/2023/09/hell-of-a-summer-review-finn-wolfhard-billy-bryk-1235543092/ . live .
- Web site: Searles . Jourdain . 2023-09-18 . Hell of a Summer Review: Finn Wolfhard's Summer Camp Slasher Film Is Limp as Horror but Likable as Comedy . 2023-10-04 . . September 26, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230926024516/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/hell-of-a-summer-review-finn-wolfhard-1235592916/ . live .