PopHorror Let's Get Scared
With sequels dropping left and right, it’s high time, after reviewing the second one, that I took a look at Cruel Summer, the first feature in writer/director Scott Tepperman’s (Hell’s Bells) slasher film saga.
Cruel Summer Synopsis
A group of college students plan one final pre-graduation party at a secluded lake house for an “80s murder mystery” weekend unaware that a crazed, masked killer has decided to join the celebration. Will anyone survive the slaughter – or is this going to become a truly cruel summer?
Scott Tepperman wrote and directed the film. It stars Ashlyn McCain, Bridget Linda Froemming, H. Marie, Harold McLeod II, and Jimmy Maguire.
Ah, the 1980’s! What a time, huh? Mom-and-pop video stores on every corner, Freddy, Jason, and Michael hadn’t become parodies yet, and the slasher film was king! So many classics and near classics! Unfortunately, for the modern horror fan, a huge portion of indie filmmakers have attempted to cash in on all of that nostalgia by doing half-baked “homages” to the beloved era. I say “half-baked” because most think they can just add some crappy synth music, neon clothes, hairspray, and viola! Instant 80’s! But, sometimes you can tell the people that have a true reverence for those long lost times. Scott Tepperman and company hit most of those marks. In that spirit, here’s a short list of what NOT to do while making an 80s throwback slasher film.
- Don’t spend half of your budget trying to set the movie in 1985. Cruel Summer cleverly avoids this by featuring an “80’s Murder Mystery” themed party as the jumping-off point. No effort is wasted on meticulous authenticity, the costumes and themes can be off the mark, because it’s the characters pretending to be in the 80s as opposed to actually being set then.
- Don’t try to reinvent the wheel. Inventive kills? Trust me, it has been done. Done to death (no pun intended)! Cruel Summer succeeds because it’s full of “wink and nod” moments and Easter eggs, like familiar set pieces, lines, and character names, that basically say to the viewer “Yes, we’re paying tribute to our favorite films, and you’re in on the joke”.
- Don’t try to cast a familiar face from the 80s who hasn’t worked since then to lend some sort of “cred”. Cruel Summer works because it has new, fresh faces who are passionate about the genre and want to make their own mark, rather than rest on some non-existent laurels.
Keeping the sets small, and ambitions high, Cruel Summer has a triumvirate of girls: Felissa (Bridget Linda Froemming; The Hellgate), Barb (H. Marie; Black Dove), and Heather (Ashlyn McCain; Timepiece) throwing a party in a secluded house. Of course, there has to be a contingent of horny guys to accompany them: Tobin (Harold McLeod II; Nightblade), Doug (Jimmy Maguire; Borderline), and Robert (RJ Cecott; Blood Moon River).
Red herrings abound, as the viewer at different points, can consider the caretaker Vincent (Will Horton; The Good Doctor), nosy neighbor Mr. Lustig (Paul Van Scott; Strange Love), and creepy mechanic Gunnar (Tepperman) all suspects in the methodical slayings. Over the course of the next 78 minutes, we get the requisite shower scene, scaldings, eye gougings, and crowbar mayhem!
Kudos for the really convincing practical effects! The CG stuff? Not so much… Be on the lookout for a cameo, as a directionally challenged husband, by indie mainstay Cam Scott (Post Mortem America 2021), as the film marches towards an unexpected, but fitting for a sequel set-up, conclusion. All in all, a fun, reverent, and entertaining entry into the indie slasher genre.
Tepperman’s production company Los Bastardz (co-helmed by Jim O’Rear; Camp Massacre) has been churning out some pretty impressive micro-budget features in the last few years, and Cruel Summer is right there at the top of the heap. I can’t wait to see how they wrap this up!
Cruel Summer is available on DVD/Blu-ray from fine retailers, and on streaming.
