Hell of a Summeris a new horror comedy that puts the camp in summer camp. Co-written and co-directed byStranger Thingsstar Finn Wolfhard and fellow actor Billy Bryk, who has appeared in projects includingSaturday NightandGhostbusters: Afterlife.The movie takes place at Camp Pineway and follows the training of new counselors who are more interested in partying and having fun than they are in following camp rules–that is, until a masked murderer begins picking them off one by one.
Wolfhard and Bryk star inHell of a Summer,which releases April 4. Other than them, the cast includes D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (Reservation Dogs), Pardis Saremi (Death and Other Details), Abby Quinn (Knock at the Cabin), and Fred Hechinger (Nickel Boys). The ensemble is tasked with not only surviving the relentless pursuit of a slasher, but also unmasking the killer who they believe is one of their own.
ScreenRant’s Ash Crossan interviewed Finn Wolfhard, Fred Hechinger, and Billy Bryk about their work onHell of a Summer.Bryk and Wolfhard discussed their own personal journeys with filmmaking as co-writers and co-directors on the film, and Hechinger discussed how he approaches a range of project genres that spans fromThelmatoGladiator II.Then, the trio answered campfire-themed questions that touched on their own likeliness to survive in the woods.
Finn Wolfhard & Billy Bryk Reflect On Their Filmmaking Journeys
“It Is Possible To Pull Off More Than You Think”
Hell of a Summermarks the feature film directorial debut of both Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk, and is the first feature either have written to be released.“A thing that I learned about myself [or that was] sort of cemented once we made the feature [was] just how much I care about making stuff with people that I like and respect,”Wolfhard shared.
The actor-turned-director also spoke on the importance of having a good crew and support system, saying,“when you’re filming a movie, stuff goes wrong all the time, constantly, and you have to still try to steer the boat … I definitely learned that I’m capable of all that, which I did not think in the slightest that I was before.”
On Bryk’s side of things, the filmmaker said“I learned the importance of fighting for a vision and how it is possible to pull off more than you think. You have to think about things creatively, and ways around problems.” “I don’t even mean fighting with other people for your vision,”Bryk specified,“You’re fighting against the weather. You’re fighting against the sun. There are so many obstacles that come up, and if you just persevere and really fight for it, it is possible to get yourself ninety percent of the way there–and sometimes all the way there.”
Fred Hechinger Shares His Method To Choosing Roles
Recent Projects Include Nickel Boys, Gladiator II & Thelma
In recent years, Fred Hechinger has proven himself to be an incredibly versatile actor who appears to be drawn to a wide variety of projects.“I follow filmmakers, and story, and characters that surprise and delight me,”Hechinger said when asked how he chooses roles.“As a movie lover,”he continued,“you make movies that you would want to see, and I think that’s really important. Being tapped into what you actually love and enjoy is a very inspiring thing. It means a lot to take risks and do things you haven’t done before.”
But what hasn’t Hechinger done before?“A musical,”he shared.“I’d like to do a musical one day.”
The Hell Of A Summer Creators & Star Answer Campfire-Themed Questions
Check Out Who Lives, Who Gets Lost, And Who Has A Secret Talent
In the spirit ofHell of a Summer’s camp atmosphere, the co-directors and stars of the movie were asked some rapid-fire camp-related questions. When asked who was actually most likely to survive when lost in the woods, Matthew Finlan (who plays Ezra in the movie) was a quick choice.“Amazing at fishing,”Bryk said about him, adding,“One time there was a raccoon that was in a set and Matthew came and scared it off. He’s a really badass person.”
Hechinger even praised Finlan’s amateur ghostbusting showGhosting with Luke Hutchie and Matthew Finlan,saying“from a supernatural side, he would survive as well.”
As for who would get lost, but survive with a story to tell, Bryk had a clear answer:“Julia Doyle, who plays Miley. We went bowling–five-pin bowling, which is like fake bowling–as a cast, and she disappeared. We were like, ‘Where did Julia go?’ Then, she came back like two hours later in a new dress and was like, ‘Oh, I heard music, and I walked, and someone was selling a dress.’”
Finally, the cast members were asked what talent they would choose if they were secretly signed up for a talent show.“I’d learn to juggle and then do that, but I don’t juggle,”Hechinger said,“First minute, I’d learn to juggle. Second minute, I would unsuccessfully juggle.”
“I’d probably just go on and improvise a stand-up set,”Wolfhard chimed.“I would do an escape act, I think,”said Bryk,“I don’t know how… but I would figure it out.”
