Despite the dozens of sequels, remakes and requels hitting theaters this year, you can’t deny that the movie industry is experiencing a renaissance of original ideas. Nowhere is that more obvious than the horror genre. Companion, Heart Eyes, Death of a Unicorn are just some examples of some great original entries this year. But the one that will undoubtedly stick with you is Hell of a Summer.

 

Co-written, co-directed and co-starring Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk, the film follows a group of camp counselors who arrive at their campgrounds a few days early to prepare for the upcoming season and fall prey to a mysterious masked killer. 

 

Now, the film is an obvious love letter to several classic camp-set horror films such as Sleepaway Camp and Friday the 13th. While it leans heavily into its hard R rating with some stellar kills, it’s also an unapologetic comedy. As if the main character’s name being Jason doesn’t make that obvious enough, the constant calling out of genre cliches should. For example, shortly after the killing spree begins, the characters have a fight about whether they should split up. And despite swearing they won’t, they still do. Later on, one character picks up a phone and tells everyone it’s “dead” before admitting they “always wanted to say that.” But when they realize the phone is dead, as hopeless as the situation seems, you can’t help but laugh.

 

Wolfhard and Bryk have a blast at creating their own world in the genre, while simultaneously poking fun at its silliness. It feels so effortless that you would never know it’s their feature directorial debut. From the very beginning, they establish a distinct visual language that makes it almost impossible to look away despite some inevitable lulls.  

 

What’s more impressive than their work behind the camera is the way they also contribute to the film’s ensemble. The film boasts a stellar cast consisting of fresh and familiar faces including Fred Hechinger and Abby Quinn. Although some characters have way less screen time than others (for obvious reasons), they all stand out due to unique toxic traits. Those traits, combined with zesty performances from each young cast member, bring the film to life in a third way. as a commentary of Gen Z. Whether you like a character or not, you get a rare, realistic glimpse of how cynical a modern young adult might be if they were put in a similar situation. 

​

As fun and refreshing as the film is, it’s not without its flaws. The biggest probably being the eventual unmasking of the killer and their motivation. That’s not to say that it doesn’t make sense. Of all that Wolfhard and Bryk accomplish, it just has the flattest execution.

Nevertheless, Hell of a Summer is a modern and memorable murder mystery that audiences should check out. Not just for the literal campy kills, but because it offers an exciting look at fun and fresh direction the comedy and horror genres have still yet to go.