Hell of a Summer: The Must-See Slasher of the Weekend!

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This coming weekend may not boast the most extensive array of new titles compared to other parts of April, but don’t let that discourage you! There are still some exciting releases that will undoubtedly delight certain audiences. If you’re younger or particularly fond of nostalgia, you might want to catch Hell of a Summer and A Minecraft Movie. On the other hand, two new movies are debuting this weekend: a heartwarming drama for dog enthusiasts in The Friend, and the action comedy Freaky Tales starring Pedro Pascal. Furthermore, a selection of new movies will have limited releases this weekend, such as Gazer, The Luckiest Man in America, and Screamboat.

For the upcoming weekend on April 4, 2025, here are some notable releases, making “Hell of a Summer” an excellent choice for your theatrical entertainment.

‘Hell of a Summer’ Is a Slasher Throwback

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In tribute to the bloody slasher films from the ’80s and ’90s, known for their excessive gore and comedic elements, Hell of a Summer chronicles the ordeal of camp counselors at Camp Pineway, who find themselves hunted by a masked murderer. As the body count rises, the prime suspect becomes the 24-year-old camp counselor, Jason Hochberg (Fred Hechinger), causing him to struggle to clear his name while simultaneously attempting to apprehend the killer.

This summer’s horror movie, “Hell of a Summer,” with credits such as shared writing, directing, and acting by Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk, is likely to attract many young horror enthusiasts to the cinemas. The movie title itself might aid its box office success, as Julian Roman mentions in his 2.5 out of 5 review: “A powerful lead act by Fred Hechinger and a few occasional chuckles keep the film afloat despite its lack of intrigue, debatable camera work, and a monotonous supporting cast that finds it hard to maintain viewer interest.”

Other Movies in Theaters and Streaming To Check Out This Weekend

The Minecraft film may not be a hit with critics like Julian Roman, who gave it a 2/5 rating, but its nostalgic appeal is likely to make it a financial success and draw in both young and older audiences despite its flaws.
– Despite being unlikely to make much impact critically, The Friend boasts a heartwarming story that should attract audiences thanks to its focus on canine love. Reviewer Will Sayre notes the irresistible charm of Apollo, the giant Great Dane.
– If you’re in the mood for mindless entertainment, Freaky Tales offers just that, with Julian Roman from MovieWeb describing it as “crazy fun” but lacking depth.

This weekend, if you’re looking for lesser-known films, consider checking out the following:

1. “The Luckiest Man in America” is a heartfelt homage to vintage game shows and boasts great acting; catch our review here.

2. For horror enthusiasts, “Screamboat” aims to capitalize on the public domain status of Steamboat Willie. However, don’t let its quirky premise fool you, as it delivers a solid scare with David Howard Thornton from “Terrifier” taking on the sinister role of the murderous mouse.

3. Fans of noir will appreciate “Gazer“, a neat little addition to the genre; check out our review here.

4. If you’re into horror, make sure to catch “825 Forest Road” on Shudder this weekend, as streaming options are a bit scarce.

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2025-04-04 18:31