Summer Of '84: If Stand By Me Had A Serial Killer

Hello nerds!

The forthcoming movie Summer of '84 will look to do another mashup of the decade that won't die and the horror/sci-fi genre.

From the trio behind Turbo Kid, comes the story of a group of plucky teenage boys as they deal with the typical issues facing those growing up in 80s suburbia; girls and serial killers. Mostly serial killers. 

Intriguing, right? Admittedly, I grew up in this time, so I'll watch most things based in the 80s. Especially, when they're smothered in Synth-pop and involve a serial killer called “The Cape May Slayer.”

Written by Matt Leslie and Stephen J. Smith, and directed by François Simard, Anouk Whissell, and Yoann-Karl Whissell, Summer of '84 is definitely doing a hard lean into the 80s nostalgia market, much like mega-hits Stranger Things and IT. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Much like the superhero genre if done right, films and shows based in the 80s that have a supernatural/horror vibe to could be very successful. 

People who grew up in that time are those that are making movies and TV shows now, so it stands to reason they'd draw on their childhoods for inspiration. And a lot of people around the same age really loved growing up then as well, so they eagerly ingest any and all forms of entertainment that takes them back to a simpler time. I'd expect a lot more of our future entertainment to be based in the past. Let's hope the 90s aren't next. 

Summer of '84 starring Graham Verchere, Judah Lewis, Caleb Emery, Cory Gruter-Andrew, Tiera Skovbye and Rich Sommer will be in select theaters on August 10, 2018.

“Summer, 1984: The perfect time to be 15 years old and free. But when neighborhood conspiracy theorist Davey Armstrong begins to suspect his police officer neighbor might be the serial killer all over the local news, he and his three best friends begin an investigation that soon turns dangerous.”