All we know About Finn Wolfhard-led Hell of a Summer film: Slasher Comedy with a Gen Z Twist
The highly anticipated Hell of a Summer just dropped its redband trailer, giving us a sneak peek into the slasher-comedy madness that awaits. With blood, humor, and plenty of gore, this film is shaping up to be a wild ride. Fans of 80s horror will feel right at home as the trailer embraces all the campy clichés, including gory kills, teenage antics, and a masked killer lurking in the shadows.
Hell of a Summer takes the classic slasher setup and puts a fresh spin on it, poking fun at Gen Z stereotypes while delivering exactly what fans love about the genre: unexpected kills and quirky characters. With a cast of chaotic counselors and a mystery killer on the loose, it’s hard to resist what this film is offering.
This film is not just a throwback to horror’s glory days but a fresh, gory take that will keep you on the edge of your seat. From the recent trailer to glowing reviews from its TIFF premiere, the buzz surrounding Hell of a Summer is undeniable. Keep reading to discover more about the plot, cast, and everything that makes this film one to watch. We’ll be updating this as new info comes in, so stay tuned for the latest details!
Release date & Where to Watch
Hell of a Summer is set to be released in the United States theaters on Friday, April 4, 2025. The film is rated R for its horror violence, strong language, and some sexual references.
It had its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 10, 2023, where it earned second runner-up for the People's Choice Award in the Midnight Madness category. In August 2024, Neon secured the U.S. distribution rights.
What is the plot of Hell of a Summer film?
Hell of a Summer follows 24-year-old Jason Hochberg, a camp counselor at Camp Pineway, who feels out of place among his younger colleagues. His initial struggle with feeling outdated quickly takes a backseat when a masked killer begins targeting the counselors, picking them off one by one.
As the bodies pile up, Jason becomes the primary suspect due to his name, “Jason,” and his age, leading to questions about whether his arrested development has driven him to murderous behavior or if something more sinister is at play.
The film is a self-aware horror-comedy that embraces classic '80s slasher tropes. It features a group of counselors who fill familiar roles: from horny teens to the himbo and mean girls. Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk star as friends at Camp Pineway, whose attempt to score with the counselors ultimately places them on the killer’s list. As the night unfolds, survival becomes the ultimate goal for everyone, but who can they trust?
In an interview with Collider, Wolfhard and Bryk described the movie as, "Hell of a Summer, it's a summer camp comedy-slasher. It's an ensemble coming-of-age movie about a counselor who's a little bit older than everybody else named Jason, and he's back, and he kind of can't let his camp glory days go. Then a masked killer starts picking off the teenage counselors one by one, and everybody sort of freaks out…And tries to survive the night."
Who’s Starring in Hell of a Summer?
- Billy Bryk (Friendship, When You Finish Saving The World) as Bobby
- Finn Wolfhard (The Legend Of Ochi, Stranger Things) as Chris
- Fred Hechinger (Kraven the Hunter, Gladiator 2) as Jason
- Abby Quinn (Knock at the Cabin, Bumblebee) as Claire
- Pardis Saremi (Death and Other Details) as Demi
- D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (Reservation Dogs) as Mike
- Krista Nazaire as Shannon
- Matthew Finlan (My Fake Boyfriend, Orphan: First Kill) as Ezra
- Julia Lalonde as Noelle
- Daniel Gravelle as Ari
- Julia Doyle as Miley
- Susan Coyne
- Rosebud Baker (Life & Beth)
- Adam Pally (Mr. Throwback)
- Nicole Cyrille as Audio Description Narrator
Is There a Trailer for Hell of a Summer?
The trailer embraces classic slasher tropes with gory kills, and characters humorously referencing familiar horror clichés, like the ominous line: "The phone lines are cut." The film combines horror, humor, and a nostalgic nod to Friday the 13th and other slasher classics.
When & Where did Hell of a Summer film?
Filming for Hell of a Summer began in July 2022 in Ontario, Canada, and wrapped in August, as announced by Finn Wolfhard on Instagram. By December, the film entered the editing phase, with post-production completing by February 2023.
Behind the Scenes
Hell of a Summer marks the directorial debut of Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk, who also co-wrote the film. The duo, known for their collaborations in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, When You Finish Saving the World, and Saturday Night, bring a fresh take on teen films.
The movie, produced by Fred Hechinger, Michael Costigan, Jason Bateman, Drew Brennan, and Jay Van Hoy, is inspired by the lack of accurate teen representations in cinema. Wolfhard shared with Variety that their frustration with the genre’s portrayal of their generation led to the creation of the film: “Why don’t we just do it?”
Produced under the banner of Aggregate Films and Parts & Labor, Hell of a Summer was fully financed by 30West, with Jason Bateman and Michael Costigan among the executive producers. The deal for distribution was negotiated by Jason Wald on behalf of Neon, with 30West and CAA Media Finance repping the filmmakers.
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