By Simon Thompson, Contributor

(Left to right) Finn Wolfhard, Fred Hechinger, and Billy Bryk graced the red carpet at the New York premiere of Neon’s 'Hell of a Summer' on April 1, 2025. The film represents not just a revival of the horror-comedy genre but also delivers a poignant message to Hollywood from a significant demographic. As Billy Bryk, who co-wrote and co-directed the film alongside 'Stranger Things' star Finn Wolfhard, explained, the challenge lies in avoiding contemporary references that may quickly become outdated. Bryk remarked, "The mistake is chasing something that feels too contemporary. A movie takes so long to make and get out to an audience that if you're trying to have the most up-to-date slang and references, you've missed the window by the time the movies come out. It's going to feel dated."

With the rapid consumption of comedy sketches on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, filmmakers are encouraged to let movies be more timeless. Bryk argues, "People must focus on letting movies be movies and not make movies feel like content or memes. We should produce films that may feel less zeitgeisty and more timeless." The duo, who also star in 'Hell of a Summer,' were passionate about reintroducing the blend of genres in a way that resonates with today's audiences. Wolfhard elaborated, "We’re in a weird place not only in the world but also in the film industry. It has felt like a transitional period for a few years, and a lot of that also has to do with the big film companies that make amazing movies but have so much money they don’t know what to do with it. What used to happen in the 70s, 80s, and 90s was that a studio wouldn't make two $100 million movies; they would make twenty $10 million films that had their own unique space and time to breathe."

'Hell of a Summer' draws inspiration from a captivating mix of coming-of-age, horror, and comedy films, centering on the character of Jason Hochberg, a 24-year-old camp counselor portrayed by Fred Hechinger, best known for his roles in 'Thelma' and 'The White Lotus.' As Jason arrives at Camp Pineway, he believes that his biggest challenge is bridging the gap between himself and his teenage co-workers. However, unbeknownst to him, a masked killer is prowling the campgrounds, eliminating counselors one by one.

This chilling premise resonated with Hechinger, who noted that the film captures the essence of feeling slightly too old for certain experiences. Reflecting on the film's themes, he remarked, "If you think of life as continually coming of age through different experiences, this felt like one of those formative moments when you have to move on from a place you love the most. It’s about taking risks and facing the uncertainties of the next chapter of life, no matter how daunting it may be." The three filmmakers, all in their early to mid-20s, forged a strong bond during their first meeting, which unexpectedly extended from a planned 40-minute discussion into a four-and-a-half-hour deep dive into their shared passion for filmmaking and life experiences. Bryk recalled, "We sat down with Fred, and what was supposed to be a 40-minute tea turned into a four-and-a-half-hour discussion about filmmaking and our lives and influences. Immediately afterward, we were like, 'We have to push to get Fred.'"

Hechinger, who is currently a rising star in Hollywood with multiple films under his belt including 'Gladiator II,' added, “What was so amazing was we realized that we shared hundreds of references that spanned various genres. We discussed horror movies from the 70s and 80s, coming-of-age comedies, and YouTube videos from creators like Jake and Amir that shaped our sense of humor and editing style.” The trio aimed to blend these eclectic influences to create a film that is both timeless and contemporary.

Hechinger praised the sharpness and intelligence of Bryk and Wolfhard, commenting on their strategic approach to filmmaking. He highlighted their focus on character dynamics, stating, "If you’re making your first film, rather than trying to include numerous locations that could bloat your budget, it’s wise to focus on the priorities you care about. We realized that a summer camp would be the perfect location to deepen the character dynamics in a focused and intelligent manner. If it rained while we were scheduled to shoot outside, we could easily transition to shooting inside one of the cabins." The film's influences range from legendary filmmakers like John Carpenter, who was recently honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, to Wes Anderson and Greg Mottola, with the film’s distributor Neon actively incorporating these references into their grassroots marketing campaign.

Hechinger emphasized the importance of connecting with younger audiences, stating, "It was crucial for us to create a more homegrown press tour where we could visit schools and engage with young filmmakers and aspiring creators. We wanted to pull back the curtain on our process as much as possible." He expressed excitement over their promotional efforts, which included taking a bus across the country emblazoned with the film's title, a nostalgic nod to the film 'Rushmore' that all three filmmakers admire.

Fans first caught a glimpse of 'Hell of a Summer' at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2023. As the film's release date approaches, Hechinger's rising star power and the anticipation surrounding the final season of 'Stranger Things' have raised questions about the film's potential success in theaters. Wolfhard candidly expressed his concerns: "Yeah. That is not a stretch to think at all. There was a long period of waiting and hearing feedback, followed by even more waiting, and then the strikes and all this weird stuff happening. Nonetheless, it feels like the right time for this movie to come out, so the wait was worth it, but it was stressful."

He acknowledged the challenges faced throughout the filmmaking process, noting how each phase—from writing the script to obtaining financing, and finally to production—brought its own set of hurdles. He expressed immense gratitude towards Neon for their support, stating, "Neon has been incredible; they’re such an amazing company, and we are big fans. It’s a dream come true for this film to find a home there. Their commitment to a wide theatrical release for 'Hell of a Summer' is significant for us because we grew up watching these types of films in theaters, and we believe it's essential for audiences to experience them there."