Common Thread

Hell of a Summer tells the story of Jason (Fred Hechinger, who also produces the film), a too-pure-for-this-world 24-year-old camp counselor, who finds himself returning to his beloved Camp Pineway to prove himself worthy of becoming the camp director. As Jason navigates trying to lead his less enthusiastic co-counselors through orientation prior to the campers’ arrival, a masked killer begins terrorizing the group, picking off counselors one by one in this nostalgic slasher comedy.

This film marks the directorial debut of actors Billy Bryk and Finn Wolfhard, who co-wrote and star in the film alongside a stellar ensemble cast. And this is one hell of a directorial debut. There are many elements at play here that could have pushed the film toward obscurity, and its small budget and emphasis on cartoonish practical effects could have easily made it feel like a glorified student film. However, Bryk and Wolfhard’s keen directorial instincts keep it on track. The opening scene oozes classic slasher film vibes, reminding the audience that the scariest moments can lie in what is unseen.

While that opening scene may lull the audience into a false sense of overall scariness, it’s a testament to Wolfhard and Bryk’s directing prowess, as they’re able to create tension in just five minutes. While the film is certainly not perfect (I found myself squinting just a tad too much to try and see during some of the night scenes, and I would have liked to be a bit more shocked by the killer’s identity reveal), it is an impressive first effort.

Hell of a Summer truly shines as a comedy, more so than as a horror film. The screenplay is jam-packed with a plethora of laugh-out-loud moments, with jokes that are quite obviously targeted toward Gen Z (“Single-use plastics are the real killer!” Wolfhard’s character yells as he runs away from a literal murderer), but are not so niche that they won’t appeal to a wider audience.

The kills and gore are pretty tame, and save for a few, they feel more like caricatures, which may disappoint those looking for a true slasher film. However, cranking up the violence would have undermined the comedic beats, which are the movie’s best moments. If the gore or kills had veered into unsettling or disturbing territory, it would have felt strange—maybe even too sadistic—to slap a joke on top of them. But Wolfhard and Bryk deftly navigate the balance.

The cast is also well-stacked here. Coming off the heels of a big year with roles in Thelma, Gladiator II, and more, Hechinger proves himself more than capable as a leading man. There’s an earnestness and sincerity to his performance that make him impossible not to root for, and his chemistry with the rest of the cast is palpable. Hechinger brilliantly gives Jason a level of naiveté that is rife with ardor, but not in a condescending way. Jason isn’t a guns-a-blazing, pugnacious kind of Final Boy. Instead, his motivations are rooted in a simple belief in doing the right thing and a dutiful call to protect this camp that he clearly loves.

Abby Quinn also delivers a standout performance as Claire, a fellow counselor and Jason’s love interest. Claire’s more deadpan, impassive demeanor makes her a good counterpart to Jason (and makes her protectiveness of him all the more adorable). However, there isn’t a weak link in the cast, with every actor nailing the humorous bits every time.

If you’re looking for a chills-inducing nightmare that will make it hard for you to sleep at night, Hell of a Summer may not be for you. But if you’re looking for an absolute riot of a time, it’s the perfect choice. The stellar ensemble, paired with one of the funnier screenplays of late, makes it one of the most fun movies of the year—and worth a watch for anyone yearning for a nostalgic 90s-style horror comedy. One can only hope that this is just the first entry in a future filmography of Wolfhard/Bryk/Hechinger collaborations, as this one left me feeling like I would eagerly watch anything they offered.