Summer of 84

I was well entertained but I wouldn't call Summer of 84 a horror movie, rather a mystery thriller with some (very few) elements of horror. Reminds me of movies like Stand by Me, Super 8 etc. Fine style, fine music, good production and direction make this a well crafted one.

Well, if you like kids as heroes playing detective, this one is like a fine summer's breeze for you.

Classic concept of teenage friend group lead, solving a mystery thriller.

And it just does what it supposed to!

For those liking stuff like Fear Street, "It" or likewise, it definitely shouldn't be missed!

Halfway through the movie i saw nothing i wouldn't have expected, BUT there were multiple things wich kept me watching.

First off the music, but I'm a sucker for synth sounds.

Second the character build up and story telling.

Everybody got his package.

Furthermore the past of the unfolding of it all.

Especially for me it was the ending that took it away. Refreshing, a little bit surprising and definitely not what i was expecting.

Obviously there are flaws, and yes not a few but those didn't bother me.

IT IS a light watch, but worth it, I'm glad i did!

Yes, it resembles the first season of Stranger Things. Yes, it echoes Disturbia. I suppose it even tangentially recalls the remake of It if you've never watched real 70s/ 80s horror. Still, this film has its own take on the eighties and kid-centered horror. I liked it more than Disturbia (which was too slick) and more than the remake of It (which was too CGI action-oriented to be scary). Even though the story of Summer of 84 is not at all supernatural, the film recalls Phantasm (1979) in the way that its mood blends easy going playfulness with eerie suspense and horror. The cast is good, the writing is strong, the cinematography is spot on, the editing is tight, and the score is lush in its own synthesized way. Summerof 84 may be more creepy than horrific, but in that vein, it succeeds!

In this film a teenager starts to suspect that his next door neighbor, who just happens to be a cop, is a serial killer hiding behind a facade of normalcy found in the suburbs. With the help of his buddies, they begin to surveil the man.

I ended up really enjoying this. Creepy neighbors are always good material for a thriller. No one wants weirdos living next to them. While this is meant to be a thriller, let me just say that I was really feeling a bit of "The Burb's" (1989) from time to time with this film. I read a review that stated that this was like "Disturbia" (2007) and I can see that. Just mix a bit of goofy from "The Burb's" and some of the suspense from "Disturbia" and you'll find this movie.

So glad I took a chance and checked it out.

Suspenseful, with good acting. Highly recommend. Takes a little while to get started but once it does you aren't bored for a second.