The official trailer for Finn Wolfhard’sHell of a Summerhas dropped.Hell of a Summerfollows the counselors at Camp Pineway, who face off against a mysterious masked killer the night before the campers arrive. Known forhis role as Mike Wheeler inStranger Things, Wolfhard plays the lead character, Chris.Hell of a Summeralso 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.
TheHell of a Summertrailer fromNEONteases 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 Summerwill premiere in theaters on April 18. Check out the trailer below:
What This Means For Hell Of A Summer Theatrical Release
Hell Of A SummerJoins Other NEON Titles
At 22 years old, Wolfhard’s directorial debut withHell of a Summerisa new development for his career, which has primarily focused on acting in popular titleslike the aforementionedStranger Things, It,andGhostbusters: Afterlife.Additionally, Bryk’s involvement as co-director and co-writer further strengthens the film’s foundation. Previously, Byrk and Wolfhard worked together ontitles such asWhen You Finish Saving the WorldandSaturday Night.
Premiering at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival,Hell of a Summerlikely 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 sinceStranger Thingsseason 5is slated for release later this year.The trailer offers a mix of campy thrills and Gen Z humorthat fits in with today’s horror landscape, positioning it as a familiar yet enticing new offer.
Every Horror Movie Released By Neon, Ranked
Neon’s commitment to innovative storytelling and striking visuals makes it a standout producer in the horror landscape.
NEON’s involvement in distributingHell of a Summerdemonstrates its ongoing support for distinctive, genre-driven projects around the globe. In the past, NEON has backed international titles such asParasite, Anatomy of a Fall,andPortrait of a Lady on Fire. In addition to distribution, in 2024 the company released the ’90s-esque psychological horror movieLonglegs.NEON’sHell of a Summertrailer teases the ensemble cast and self-aware tone, emphasizingits 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 withHell of a Summermay 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 filmspositions him as a promising new voice in horror filmmaking, and we look forward to seeing howHell of a Summeris 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.
Hell of a Summer
Cast
Hell of a Summer follows 24-year-old Jason Hochberg as he navigates a weekend at Camp Pineway, where he grapples with feeling out of touch with younger co-workers. Unbeknownst to him, a masked killer has murdered the camp owners and is poised to strike again. Released on June 22, 2025.
