Movie Review: Dark Summer (2015)

Movie Review: Dark Summer (2015)

Rating: ★★★½ (3.5/5)

Dark Summer is a very slow-burn psychological horror. It doesn’t rush—if anything, it creeps up on you. At first, it feels like not much is happening, but the tension builds and eventually pulls you in. Even though the pacing is slow, it made me want to keep watching.

The story follows Daniel, a 17-year-old put on house arrest for cyber-stalking a classmate. He’s confined to his home, his internet access monitored, and his mother is conveniently away. What begins as a punishment quickly spirals into something much darker when his victim, Mona Wilson, commits suicide on a video call. Soon after, strange supernatural forces begin tormenting him.

The movie definitely has some missing backstory (like where Daniel’s parents really are during all of this), and it carries the feel of a lower-budget indie. Still, it delivers a haunting atmosphere with enough suspense to keep horror fans engaged.

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The Cast

Keir Gilchrist as Daniel Austin

Stella Maeve as Abby Feller

Maestro Harrell as Kevin Dowdle

Grace Phipps as Mona Wilson

Peter Stormare as Stokes (the parole officer)

Dinora Walcott as Principal Nakota

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Movie Details

Release Year: 2015

Director: Paul Solet

Writer: Mike Le

Runtime: 81 minutes

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Where to Watch

You can stream Dark Summer on:

AMC+

Prime Video (rent or buy)

Apple TV (rent or buy)

It’s also available on DVD and Blu-ray.

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Final Thoughts

Dark Summer is not perfect—at times it feels like something’s missing, and it’s definitely a one-time watch rather than a repeat. But the performances are solid, and the creeping sense of dread makes it worth giving a shot. If you enjoy slow-burn horror with a supernatural twist, it’s a decent addition to your watchlist.

My Score: 3.5/5