The official trailer for Finn Wolfhard’s Hell of a Summer has dropped. Hell of a Summer follows the counselors at Camp Pineway, who face off against a mysterious masked killer the night before the campers arrive. Known for his role as Mike Wheeler in Stranger Things, Wolfhard plays the lead character, Chris. Hell of a Summer also marks Wolfhard’s directional debut. So far, the film has received divided reviews following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023, and a 50% Rotten Tomatoes score.

The Hell of a Summer trailer from NEON teases the ensemble of camp counselors who find themselves facing the masked killer. The film features performances from Billy Bryk, who also directs alongside Wolfhard, with additional talent such as Fred Hechinger, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Pardis Saremi, Abby Quinn, Daniel Gravelle, Julia Lalonde, and Matthew Finlan. Hell of a Summer will premiere in theaters on April 18. Check out the trailer below:

What This Means For Hell Of A Summer Theatrical Release

Hell Of A Summer Joins Other NEON тιтles

At 22 years old, Wolfhard’s directorial debut with Hell of a Summer is a new development for his career, which has primarily focused on acting in popular тιтles like the aforementioned Stranger Things, It, and Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Additionally, Bryk’s involvement as co-director and co-writer further strengthens the film’s foundation. Previously, Byrk and Wolfhard worked together on тιтles such as When You Finish Saving the World and Saturday Night.

Premiering at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, Hell of a Summer likely sought to gain some early buzz in addition to a distributor. Though the film has since been saddled with mixed reviews, Wolfhard’s involvement could increase interest in the project, particularly since Stranger Things season 5 is slated for release later this year. The trailer offers a mix of campy thrills and Gen Z humor that fits in with today’s horror landscape, positioning it as a familiar yet enticing new offer.

NEON’s involvement in distributing Hell of a Summer demonstrates its ongoing support for distinctive, genre-driven projects around the globe. In the past, NEON has backed international тιтles such as Parasite, Anatomy of a Fall, and Portrait of a Lady on Fire. In addition to distribution, in 2024 the company released the ’90s-esque psychological horror movie Longlegs. NEON’s Hell of a Summer trailer teases the ensemble cast and self-aware tone, emphasizing its connection to Wolfhard’s prior horror projects and the camp-slasher subgenre.

Our Take On Hell Of A Summer

Finn Wolfhard’s Directional Debut is Highly Anticipated

Wolfhard’s leap into directing with Hell of a Summer may set a precedent for other young actors to explore creative opportunities behind the camera. The film’s debut at TIFF and partnership with NEON highlight its potential to resonate with audiences. Wolfhard’s history in genre films positions him as a promising new voice in horror filmmaking, and we look forward to seeing how Hell of a Summer is received when it scores its wide release. It should provide a closer look at Wolfhard’s potential as a director, and hopefully bring something fun and exciting to the slasher genre.

Source: NEON