Cast
View AllGraham Verchere
as Davey Armstrong
Judah Lewis
as Tommy 'Eats' Eaton
Caleb Emery
as Dale 'Woody' Woodworth
Cory Gruter-Andrew
as Curtis Farraday
Tiera Skovbye
as Nikki Kaszuba
Rich Sommer
as Wayne Mackey
Jason Gray-Stanford
as Randall Armstrong
J. Alex Brinson
as Officer Cole
William MacDonald
as Sheriff Caldwell
Harrison Houde
as Bobby
Mark Brandon
as News Anchor
Susie Castillo
as Brenda Woodworth
Jaiven Natt
as Young Kid
Shauna Johannesen
as Sheila Armstrong
Aren Buchholz
as Kyle
Crew
Director
- François Simard
- Anouk Whissell
- Yoann-Karl Whissell
Writer
- Matt Leslie
- Stephen J. Smith
Producer
- Matt Leslie
- Jameson Parker
- Shawn Williamson
- Van Toffler
- Cody Zwieg
Reviews
Gimly
A very pleasant surprise. It was hardcore derivative, but that didn't stop me from enjoying it. Even if it had, there is **nothing** old hat about that ending.
_Final rating:★★★½ - I really liked it. Would strongly recommend you give it your time._
Oct 5, 2018
Kewl Kat
**Perhaps some mild spoilers**
1/3 of the way through and so far it's rather annoying. Ridiculous dialog, unrealistic feel and cliche stuff that copies recent successful shows/movies. I'll finish it later but I'm not expecting much. OK...finished it! It actually ends up better than it started. I think it could have been vastly improved with a few changes. It tries too hard in places and a few of the characters were unrealistic or maybe the acting was just bad. The dad was acted poorly and the neighbor girl was too old and unbelievable. She seemed like some 25-year-old Playboy Bunny crushing on the nerdy kid she used to babysit. There is no universe in the multiverse where this would happen. All that said, the conclusion was pretty good and obviously opens it up for a sequel at some point. I really thought the it was setting up for a giant twist where the guy who you thought was the killer was innocent and the real killer was the hot neighbor girl. That would have explained her unhealthy obsession with the boy next door. 6/10.
Oct 28, 2018
Thematic Analysis
This Drama/Horror/Mystery film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Summer of 84 presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director François Simard brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2018, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Summer of 84 took approximately 4 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $1.5 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 105 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 138 minutes long.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
- The film contains approximately 2077 individual shots.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 6 months to complete.
Historical Context
- In 2018, when this film is released:
- Climate change awareness was becoming a central global concern.
- Political polarization was intensifying in many countries.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Summer of 84 shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike The Funeral, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Summer of 84 subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like King of the Ants and Beneath explore similar territory, Summer of 84 stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: August 10, 2018
- Runtime: 1h 45m
- Budget: $1,500,000
- Revenue: $42,027