Film Review - Final Summer (2023)

Alarm bells started to ring as this familiar movie began, a pedestrian set up around a campfire and really ordinary nostalgia traits were on the nose, even if it is a loving homage to 1980s slashers, we have seen this all before and better.

However, when opening credits eventually began ten-minutes in, Final Summer redeems itself quickly with intelligent cliches working in its favour and dynamic variants including an unconventional lead and her backstory which turns out quite important to the outcome.

The end is near for equally tranquil and fun Camp Silverlake, bound to be closed by the owner, it’s the last time the dedicated young staff will be laying out their summer camp fun activities.

The bloodbath begins with a swinging axe as weapon of choice as the masked assailant stalks, lurches and tricks people one by one whilst clamouring to their death.

With multiple references to the entire iconic Friday the 13th series and nod to retro classic, The Lost Boys (1987) among others, in an unusual circumstances to most by the numbers teen horror you don’t really want them to die, well not all of them anyway, in particular Lexi (Jenna Kohn). She is precise and believable. Has pizazz and is decadent to her characters survival in the mayhem.

Is it a comedy? Some of the ridiculous one liners might suggest as much, I saw it as a drama with horror elements. Zero amusing moments whatsoever.

The great, Tom Atkins (Escape from New York, Lethal Weapon) is honoured for his horror connections (Halloween 3 Season of the Witch, The Fog) by an extravagant painting spotted hanging in an office.

As predictable as it is, there’s schlock charm, gruesome entertainment to be had here, just a shame no new ground was broken. There’s a fine line between homage to replication. I did like the stimulation that Jenna Kohn gives, her look and dialogue is delivered with venom way above the rest of the amateur ensemble.

Being a ‘Kickstarter’ production, congratulations to director John Isberg and all involved actually getting Final Summer onto screens. Also, thank you for introducing me to epic song Night Dreamer, by The Taste on soundtrack.