As someone who grew up watching the golden era of slasher films and has now entered adulthood with a deep appreciation for character-driven comedies, I am beyond excited about Neon’s acquisition of Finn Wolfhard’s directorial debut, “Hell of a Summer.”
Currently, Neon is sizzling hot in the independent film industry and plans to maintain this momentum through 2025 by acquiring numerous films. One of these acquisitions includes “Hell of a Summer,” the directorial debut of Stranger Things‘ Finn Wolfhard. Following the success of Longlegs, which surpassed $100 million at the box office, Neon shows no signs of cooling off. Already scheduled for release next year are Osgood Perkins’ The Monkey and Steven Soderbergh’s highly-anticipated psychological horror film, Presence.
According to reports, Neon has obtained the rights for Gage and Finn Wolfhard’s “Hell of a Summer” as part of its lineup in 2025. This horror-comedy slasher film premiered at TIFF last year and was directed by both Stranger Things star Gage Wolfhard and Ghostbusters: Afterlife co-star Billy Bryk. At first glance, it might seem like a typical slasher movie, but don’t let that fool you. During the 2023 premiere of their film at TIFF, the pair explicitly stated that they aimed to create a film that challenges conventional Gen Z stereotypes.
Our number one conversation was how annoying it is to see new teen movies and how badly our age group is represented. And we’re like, ‘Why don’t we just do it?’
“On the eve of camper arrival at Camp Pineway, a Masked Murderer strikes, targeting the camp counsels as they prepare for the upcoming summer season.”
Shaun of the Dead Served as Inspiration for Hell of a Summer
Horror-comedies can be a catastrophe if not executed well. Usually, they overemphasize one genre at the expense of the other, leading to a movie that struggles to define its identity. But when done skillfully, these films can become beloved cult favorites that continue to captivate audiences for decades. For instance, “Evil Dead” and “Shaun of the Dead,” directed by Edgar Wright, are prime examples. In fact, the latter served as a source of inspiration for “Hell of a Summer,” according to Bryk.
“For me, it was a stunning blend of nostalgic horror tributes and hilarious character-centric comedy. In essence, it’s a film that allows its characters to embrace their eccentricities and self-absorption as they confront mortality.”
The heart of the film “A Scorching Summer” revolves around a hit list penned by its masked villain. Unlike lists based on a revenge factor, this one ranks victims according to their beauty and social standing. Initial responses from TIFF last year have been favorable, with Deadline describing the movie as a unique cinematic work that pays homage to and reinvents the slasher genre.
Currently perched atop the pedestal, Neon owes its status to Immaculate, Longlegs, and the latest offering, Cuckoo. There’s no question they aim to maintain their status as one of the most vibrant independent film companies. Will Hell of a Summer keep up their winning streak? Time will tell in 2025. Keep an eye out for updates on Wolfhard’s directorial debut, including release date and trailer details as they become accessible.
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2024-08-21 19:04