‘Hell of a Summer’ Review: ‘Stranger Things’ Star Finn Wolfhard’s Co-Directing Debut Is a Cut Above

Finn Wolfhard Teases ‘Stranger Things’ Final Season: ‘We’re All Unbelievably Happy with the Finished Product’

Wolfhard, Billy Bryk, and Fred Hechinger talk to IndieWire at the New York City premiere of "Hell of a Summer."

‘Hell of a Summer’ Review: ‘Stranger Things’ Star Finn Wolfhard’s Co-Directing Debut Is a Cut Above

In two decades at Variety, I have reviewed precious few slasher movies. Call me old-fashioned, but I don’t take much pleasure in what Roger Ebert called “dead teenager movies” — and yet, for some reason, this week I am writing about three (and no, that’s not an April Fool’s joke). The clearest explanation I can […]

Fave slashers inspire Finn Wolfhard, Billy Bryk’s ‘Hell of a Summer’

What’s six years between friends?! That’s how long Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk have been working on “Hell of a Summer,” their “Friday the 13th”-style summer camp massacre thriller opening Friday. The duo, who co-wrote, co-directed, co-star and co-produced, began, Bryk, 25, said in a joint Zoom interview, “When we met on set of ‘Ghostbusters.’ We talked so much about films and films we love.” “Friday the 13th,” which launched a 12-film franchise…

Hell of a Summer Review

PLOT: A group of summer camp counsellors are picked off one by one during an orientation weekend.  REVIEW: Hell of a Summer marks the directorial debut of actors Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk. You can tell both guys, who also wrote and co-star, have a genuine affection for horror staples like Sleepaway Camp (which we featured on 80s Horror Memories) and Friday the 13th and summer camp comedies like Wet Hot American Summer. It’s a mostly painless …

My Journey Co-Directing 'Hell of a Summer'

When I was eight years old my mother showed me a documentary called Nightmare Factory, a biography of the legendary special effects artist Greg Nicotero. I remember being in awe—how could he possibly make a career and life out of making puppets, fake blood, and gore with his friends? This was the start of my love for filmmaking, and of the distraction I needed from my school life. I would cry every day before school and would have to be dragged …

"Hell of a Summer", produced by Neon, made its world debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2023, with a release scheduled for April 4. Co-directed by Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk, this film represents a turning point in their careers. The two friends share their thoughts on the direction and the audition experience, while preparing for future projects, such as the last season of "Stranger Things". The actors express their…