Finn Wolfhard, best known as Mike Wheeler from Stranger Things, is stepping behind the camera for his directorial debut with Hell of a Summer. Co-directed and co-written with Billy Bryk, the horror-comedy takes viewers to Camp Pineway, where summer fun quickly turns into a deadly game of survival.
The film follows Jason Hochberg, a 24-year-old camp counselor who feels out of touch with his teenage co-workers. What Jason doesn’t realize is that a masked killer is lurking in the woods, picking off counselors one by one. Filled with campfire antics, Ouija boards, and dark humor, Hell of a Summer promises a mix of laughs and light thrills rather than outright terror.
Wolfhard and Bryk, who also appear in the film, are joined by a cast that includes Fred Hechinger, Pardis Saremi, Abby Quinn, and D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai. Despite some critical remarks that the film struggles to establish a truly scary atmosphere, reviewers have praised its clever humor and daring third-act twist.
Known for his roles in horror hits like It and The Turning, Wolfhard is no stranger to the genre, though this marks his first time directing. As Stranger Things prepares to close its chapter with its fifth and final season, Wolfhard’s career is branching out in new and exciting directions.
Hell of a Summer will hit theaters on April 18, blending campy fun with sharp comedic moments, ensuring that even if it’s not terrifying, it’s plenty entertaining.
