Hell of a Summer Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.0

Hell of a Summer Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 12, 2025

A summer camp setting and horror. It’s a combination that’s created a lot of memorable genre entertainment over the last 45 years, inspiring filmmakers to keep returning to the blend of innocence and aggression to support their low-budget endeavors. Co-writers/co-directors Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk try their luck with slasher cinema in “Hell of a Summer,” bringing a new generation into the woods for a survival challenge, only this round is a bit more comedic than I’m sure many viewers will expect. In fact, cheekiness tends to dominate the offering, as Wolfhard and Bryk maintain a weird distance from frights in their scary movie, which is loosely scripted, not terribly interested in being anything more than a mild goof. “Hell of a Summer” (shot three years ago) has the ingredients for at least a passable slaughterama, but there’s no dominating nightmare to follow in the picture, which is inspired by serious horror features.

Jason (Fred Hechinger) is a twentysomething guy pausing a future in law school to spend another summer at his beloved Camp Pineway. Owners Kathy (Rosebud Baker) and John (Adam Pally) want him back, and he’s ready for the responsibility, opening the campgrounds for the season. When Jason can’t seem to find Kathy and John, he assumes the role of camp leader, joined by a team of counselors, including Demi (Pardis Saremi), Mike (D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai), Bobby (Billy Bryk), Chris (Finn Wolfhard), Ari (Daniel Gravelle), Miley (Julia Doyle), Ezra (Matthew Finlan), Shannon (Krista Nazaire), and Claire (Abby Quinn), whom he’s been crushing out on for many summers. Attempting to bring order to the chaos of these younger colleagues, Jason instead finds a dead body, sending him into a panic. A masked killer is also hanging out at Camp Pineway, and the ghoul is ready to take lives, stalking the counselors as they consider their survival options during a long night of accusation and evasion.

Jason is having difficulty locating John and Kathy in “Hell of a Summer,” and for good reason. The opening of the movie details their demise, studying the duo as they horse around with a guitar in front of a campfire. When an errand separates them, a killer steps into view, eliminating the owners of Camp Pineway right before the counselors start arriving. For Jason, another summer at the destination means one more away from adult responsibility, trying to shut down his mother’s concerns about his future when school doesn’t thrill him. Jason’s a spirited young man eager to launch another season, and the writing makes some attempt to introduce a large cast of characters in a short amount of time, though most attention is reserved for the camp leader and Claire, his object of desire, only he has trouble screwing up the courage to actually follow through on his attraction.

Wolfhard and Bryk generate distinct personality traits to help define a few of the characters. Demi is vain and a social media queen. Miley is a vegetarian worried about her dietary needs at the camp. Ezra is a theater major looking to put on a big show. And Ari has a nut allergy he’s extremely cautious about. It’s a large community of players in “Hell of a Summer,” and the directors seem overwhelmed by the amount of people they have to juggle, keeping up with personal issues and confrontations. It takes some time before the killer, who wears a devil mask, returns to view, and once a body count is established, Wolfhard and Bryk do surprisingly little with it. There’s a bit of gore here and there, but for a slasher film, “Hell of a Summer” doesn’t offer much violence, finding the writing more interested in the comedic potential of the counselors and their processing of the situation.

Hell of a Summer Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The visual presentation (1.85:1 aspect ratio) for "Hell of a Summer" has significant compression issues at times. Banding is a common sight, along with posterization, flaring up into major displays during evening events, interfering with shadowy cinematography. Beyond such problems, detail fares well, exploring textured skin particulars and costume choices. Gory events are also defined. Cabin interiors are dimensional, with decorative additions open for inspection. Exteriors are mostly deep, doing much better with daytime action. Colors are alert, examining defined greenery around the campground. Clothing carries brighter primaries, along with camp and car paint jobs, which deliver crisp greens, yellows, and reds. Moodier hues with murder events are appreciable. Skin tones are natural.

Hell of a Summer Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix isn't exactly intimidating for a genre listening experience, remaining functional with clear dialogue exchanges, managing ensemble interplay and surges of panic. Scoring supports with crisp instrumentation, joined by soundtrack selections that offer sharp vocals. Surrounds are mild, engaging with musical moods and naturalistic atmospherics. The mix is mostly frontal as the endeavor remains dialogue-based. Sound effects are distinct. Low-end isn't fully challenged, but harder hits of violence do register with some weight.

Hell of a Summer Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features co-writers/directors Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk, and actor Fred Hechinger.

• Blooper Reel (6:46, HD) highlights flubbed lines, giggle fits, and the difficulty of directing peanut butter.

• "Fireside Chat" (2:57, HD) is a promotional clip featuring co-writers/directors Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk, and actor Fred Hechinger, who are seated next to a campfire, making smores with their faces on the marshmallows. The trio shares some memories of the production, celebrating cast camaraderie and physical action. Collaboration between Bryk and Wolfhard is identified, celebrating their "shared vision" for the film. A brief mention of stunt danger is also included.

• "Spoiler Alert" (:31, HD) is a promotional clip featuring actor Ruben Rabasa.

• "Rated Rizzler" (1:10, HD) is a promotional clip featuring co-writers/directors Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk, and actor Fred Hechinger, who offer a kid looking to see "Hell of a Summer" tips to help sneak into the R-rated movie.

• "Pineway Bus Tour" (18:34, HD) catches up with co-writers/directors Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk as they prepare for the premiere of "Hell of a Summer," two years after its film festival debut. A tour commences, with Wolfhard, Bryk, and actor Fred Hechinger boarding a bus for a few stops, beginning in Austin, Texas, where they handle promotional duties, meet the public, participate in a post-screening Q&A, enjoy some mini-golf, and ride a giant mechanical penis. Nashville offers hot chicken and go-karts, Atlanta provides bowling and botched intros, and New York City supplies the making of promotional clips and a black & white reflection on the whole experience.

• T.V. Spot (:31, HD) provides a single commercial for "Hell of a Summer."

• And a Retro Trailer (1:08, HD) and Redband Theatrical Trailer (2:12, HD) are included.

Hell of a Summer Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The movie follows the gang as they search for phones, take to a Ouija board to claim answers from beyond, and toss around accusations of guilt, with Jason absorbing the brunt of the abuse due to his "advanced" age. Wolfhard and Bryk certainly pull lively performances out of their ensemble, but the material isn't commanding, getting lost in riffing, scoring a few tiny chuckles along the way. "Hell of a Summer" is no "Friday the 13th" or "Sleepaway Camp," showing little interest in cranking up the intensity of a killing spree. The picture is actually closer in tone to "Meatballs," which isn't a welcome development for a genre production.