Toronto International Film Festival 2023: HELL OF A SUMMER

Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk wrote and directed Hell of a Summer, which follows a group of counselors at Camp Pineway, who just want to make it through to the next day when they are terrorized by a killer. Hell of a Summer is a fun, campy camp slasher reminiscent of 1980s classics like Sleepaway Camp, Friday the 13th, and The Burning.

Fun, Creative Kills

Hell of a Summer uses its premise and location perfectly to create a hilarious slasher that plays with the tropes of the genre with style and charm. Even though the film’s killer mostly stabs and slashes victims, these kill scenes each have their own unique style and sense of humor.

One of the most memorable takes a fact we know about a character and builds suspense as well as humor throughout this engaging and hilarious kill scene. 

Hell of a Summer understands its genre and knows how to make the most of its simplistic slasher premise and cast of characters–all inhabiting tropes we have seen in summer camp movies throughout the years. 

Blending of Genres

Horror comedy can be a tough genre to achieve the right blend of both genres, but Hell of a Summer captures the perfect mix. The horror works well, establishing tone through its setting, compelling visuals, and strong 80s horror influenced score—and making sure each of its scariest moments are also endued with humor.

Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk bring horror nostalgia to life with their entertaining, engaging horror comedy. It’s great, campy fun that is an absolute blast to watch, especially with a crowd who is all in on the joke and ready to laugh and jump at this clever combination of nostalgic horror with its well-trodden tropes aimed at gen z sensibilities. Hell of a Summer finds where its modern characters fit within horror history.

By blending modern humor and characters with nostalgic horror sensibilities, Hell of a Summer creates a unique experience that celebrates nostalgia while still embraces the ways horror has shifted over time.

Hell of a Summer does a wonderful job blending teen coming-of-age comedies with slashers, creating an endlessly entertaining and engaging experience. Hell of a Summer explores the challenges of growing up, even when you’re afraid of the changes that lie ahead. Add in a masked killer, and these coming-of-age fears become even more intense.

A Memorable Cast

Hell of a Summer is filled with a talented cast all giving memorable performances capturing the humor and heart of their characters, especially Fred Hechinger–returning to the horror genre after his scene-stealing performance in the Fear Street trilogy. Hechinger plays Jason, a man who can’t give up his camp life, so he keeps coming back to Camp Pineway as a counselor, putting his life on hold for those sweet summer memories.

Hechinger brings a wonderful charm to Jason, making him a character we want to see succeed, no matter how awkward his interactions with the fellow counselors become as the film progresses.

There’s a delightful humor in the way Jason appears to be the most happy-go-lucky character, while also being the one others accuse of murder. Hechinger plays Jason’s confusion so perfectly, adding even more humor to the already hilarious horror comedy.

Music and Suspense

Hell of a Summer adds more suspense and horror through a compelling 1980s influenced score, exploring the synth sounds often found in horror soundtracks of that era.

Jay McCarrol‘s score works wonderfully in Hell of a Summer, crafting especially memorable moments of horror through the use of engaging music highlighting the genre perfectly. McCarrol‘s music in Hell of a Summer creates a nostalgic atmosphere to the film, while building up the tension and suspense in its scariest and funniest scenes.

Conclusion

Hell of a Summer is a campy blast of a film, blending the nostalgia of 80s camp slashers with coming-of-age teen comedies. Fred Hechinger stands out as Jason, the camp counselor who has overstayed his welcome and doesn’t know what to do with his life after summer camp.