HELL OF A SUMMER (2025)

Written & Directed By: Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk

Cinematography: Kristoffer Bonnell

Editor: Christine Armstrong 

Cast: Fred Hechinger, Finn Wolfhard, Billy Bryk, Abby Quinn, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Krista Nazaire, Pardis Saremi, Matthew Finlan, Adam Pally, Rosebud Baker

The counselors of a summer camp are terrorized by a masked killer.

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While the film is certainly funny. As a horror film it should work, but doesn’t. As it is a horror comedy, but at times it feels like it is trying to be a parody or spoof with a little more sketch comedy thrown in. As the film Wants to be sensical somewhat. as commonly the film feels like the work of a sketch, comedy troop that just decided to pay homage to horror films of their youth, and trying to modernize them.

As the film comes off pessimistic to a degree adding character based humor to familiar situations. Making to feel like a post modern slasher film. Which is unfortunate as most of the characters are there a memorable. You only wish it was In a stronger script and story. 

The film has various strange tones and moods that come at random times. 

there are very few on screen kills which lowers the film’s value. As it’s not even made for creativity. It only hurts the film, especially when most of the cast is killed. The only time there is violence is more in the death scenes they choose to show which is more the villains. 

At a certain point there seems to be just a massacre of various characters getting killed one by one to make up for the lack of kills in the first half. 

Despite the many jokes about him, that land. The lead character could have been fleshed out a bit more. To help the audience understand him or at least understand what drives him. Rather then cia tangly have him just be enthusiastic. Where It’ understandable the filmmakers want to add him as a suspect though we know it’s not him. Leaving us hung up and dry in his character feels unnecessary rather than silly. For instance is he on the spectrum or suffering from arrested development 

The film seems to want to also parody or bring back memories of the disappearing camp films. 

Made for a more modern generation. though without the obvious exploitative cliché is that usually these films have as it tries to be more politically correct.

In the end the film is fun in a silly way, that feels more like a fun look rather than an actual full feature. It feels more like an interesting student film or a film that was made more for a sketch comedy group to stretch their wings. Rather than the two filmmakers behind the film. Who are also co-starring in the film. One Finn Wolfhard the biggest name in the film. Along with Billy Bryk they play the two characters who if not for the lead seem like they would be. As they seem to get the most attention 

Grade: C

ORPHAN: FIRST KILL (2022)

Directed By: William Brent Bell
Written By: David Coggeshall
Story By: David Leslie Johnson-McColdrick 
Based on characters created By: Alex Mace
Cinematography: Karim Hussain
Editor: Josh Ethier 

Cast: Isabelle Fuhrman, Julia Stiles, Rossif Sutherland, Hiro Kanagawa, Matthew Finlan, Samantha Walles 

After orchestrating a brilliant escape from an Estonian psychiatric facility, Esther travels to America by impersonating the missing daughter of a wealthy family.


A movie where It’s surprising success got a sequel or prequel trying to open it up into a franchise that is not needed or truly asked for.

So while it could easily be written off there is an attempt here that makes it not necessarily feel cheapened but an attempt to Make Something worthwhile.

While not great at least it tries not to be as surprising as the original but still manages to keep up the suspense and thrills. Now we are more in on the surprise to see how she works to stay ahead of those who suspect her and keep manipulating those around her. 

The second half of the film or truly the last third offer up a twist that is unexpected like the original, but enlivens the movie so that it doesn’t feel like more of the same. It makes the film worthwhile, adding a dimension you’re not expecting.

It has Villains underestimating each other until a confrontation is needed to show dominance. Where the film tries to make us have sympathy for a sociopath to a degree. Which began with showing how vicious she can be.

While the movie is certainly brutal to show the viciousness and evil it never feels unnecessary. 

Julia Stiles in yet another horror extension, but at least she is very good in this one and can understand why she choose this role. Reminds you of how good she can still be when given the right role 

As always in these movies the black character already suspects something is up And can see through the facade. 

The film makes every scene look hazy most of the time. Almost wish that this was a Brian DePalma movie.

How do you do that by having a psychopath go against people who are much worse?

A Little cheesy but worthwhile as it stays entertaining for the most part even if at times it feels trashy with a delectable shiny sheen and gloss Also shows how she knows she will never be accepted.

Maybe this sequel feels so good and refreshing as most likely going in you aren’t actually expecting as much especially when it comes to quality.

A prequel origin story where we learn the details of the fate of the characters we vaguely hear about in the first film. 

It gets very campy 

Grade: B-