“Hell of a Summer” Is a Crowd-Pleasing Remix of the Classic Slasher Formula
Ever since watching a water-logged Jason (Ari Lehman) jump out of the serene waters of Crystal Lake in the final shocking moments of Friday the 13th, I’ve been obsessed with the summer camp slasher. There’s something intoxicating about campfire tales and moonlit nights viewed through the eyes of a masked killer stalking the woods. While my own experiences at Camp Cedar Crest were fairly benign, I love watching a group of teenagers navigate the juxtaposition of newfound responsibility and their own raging hormones while a monster picks them off one by one. Written and directed by Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk, Hell of a Summer adds Gen Z flare to this classic subgenre by pitting a group of self-absorbed teens against a bloodthirsty killer.
Seasoned counselor Jason (Fred Hechinger) has just returned to his beloved Camp Pineway when he finds himself unexpectedly in charge. The facility’s owners are nowhere to be found and someone has to train the new crop of campers-turned-counselors who all seem to think he’s too old to exist. Chris (Woflhard) and Bobby (Bryk) are looking forward to a carefree summer of hookups and adventure, while Claire (Abby Quinn) is nursing a broken heart. Ezra (Matthew Finlan) has big plans for the season’s theater production while Miley (Julia Doyle) hopes to hold onto her vegan ideals. These disparate teens begin intertwining their lives in a debaucherous Counselor Weekend that descends into chaos. When Demi (Pardis Saremi) is found lifeless and covered with blood, Jason becomes the illogical target of the group’s outlandish fear.
In an impressive directorial debut, Wolfhard and Bryk update classic slasher tropes with an original script that feels both reverent and self-aware. Though terrified for their lives, these dramatic teens grasp at straws in order to maintain the illusion of control. Like a Gen Z version of Clue, they bumble through the motions of survival, always leaning into their worst tendencies. Bobby worries that the killer is only targeting hot people and is offended that he hasn’t yet made the cut. Noelle (Julia Lalonde) is convinced that a Ouija board will solve all their problems, and Ezra can’t stop performing to save his own life. It’s a hilarious send-up of current pop culture set against the classic slasher tropes. Wolfhard and Bryk are clearly having fun throwing references at the wall and filtering them through the lens of a new generation.
But nestled inside this over the top murder mystery is a heartfelt story of self-discovery. Jason may be regarded as a loser for returning to camp so many times, but the compassionate counselor genuinely enjoys the fresh, outdoor air, unique camp activities, and the friends he’s made along the way. It’s genuinely touching to see him embrace responsibility for this troublesome group. But Wolfhard and Bryk don’t spend too much time on sentimentality, filtering in a series of increasingly gory and imaginative kills. It’s an exhilarating blend of humor and horror that perfectly updates a well-loved horror staple.