Summary
Young Autism sufferer Danny enjoys the serenity and solitude of camping. That's all about to change when enraged teens Nicholas, Calvin and Julia find him, each with their own agenda for wanting to see Danny suffer.
Young Autism sufferer Danny enjoys the serenity and solitude of camping. That's all about to change when enraged teens Nicholas, Calvin and Julia find him, each with their own agenda for wanting to see Danny suffer.
This unsettling drama follows a group of teens as they pursue a young boy with autism camping in the woods. More than any jump scares or acts of violence, the terror of this British-made thriller is in its plausible foundations; the villains are not mindless monsters, although their childish motives drive them to commit monstrous acts. While it may be disturbing, the story is never played out for sensationalism - the co-writer/director team of Phillip Escott and Craig Newman demonstrating a delicate touch to turn a potentially unpleasant film into something more thought-provoking. All the cast shine, particularly Danny Miller as chief antagonist Nicholas, who brings a murky rationale to the group's indefensible actions. A horror movie with something to say, Cruel Summer lives up to its name and stays with you by giving bleak substance to a dark story.
role | name |
---|---|
Nicholas | Danny Miller (2) |
Danny | Richard Pawulski |
Calvin | Reece Douglas |
Julia | Natalie Martins |
Danny's mum | Grace Dixon |
role | name |
---|---|
Director | Phillip Escott |
Director | Craig Newman |