Starring: ASHLYN MCCAIN, BRIDGET LINDA FROEMMING, SCOTT TEPPERMAN
Just exactly how would one repeat the bloodshed & unflinching carnage of an Estival Solstice film, strictly in the hopes of bringing back an audience to howl at the gore? Well, the answer is quite simple: you deposit a nice chunk of the original cast back into the horror stew, and you lock the kitchen doors as the maniacal chefs responsible conduct a killer cookin’ session! Awww…did I leave ya in the dark on that one? Have no fear, ya lunatics, cause it’s time for SEQUEL: CRUEL SUMMER PART II – hope you’ve got some decent stain remover handy as this crimson’s sure to wreck your church duds.
Presented by Los Bastardz Productions (comprised of Scott Tepperman & Jim O’Rear), this second-venture into seasonal wickedness continues the story after the first film, and its traumatized band of survivors. Apparently the best way to combat the nightmarish incident they suffered through is to present a stage production of the events, essentially reopening the same damaging wounds once again. Little do they know is that the first film’s masked (and at times unmasked) butcher, Gunnar (played by Tepperman alongside his writing/directorial duties) is making his way back, and is vowing to clean up the remainder of the mess that was previously left behind. I’ve gotta tell ya – I guess a stage production consisting of your mental triggers is more efficient in psyche-healing than say…a year’s worth of psychotherapy?
In any event, not much time passes before our theater-troupe is being hunted down by the malicious fella in the sinister disguise, and with a heavy dosage of practical FX, the kills are sadistic, sanguine and pretty damned satisfying. With returning performances from Ashlyn McCain, Bridget Linda Froemming & Will Horton (just to name a few), the movie definitely takes on a reunion-atmosphere, and what truly seems like a lost display in a lot of films these days, this cast simply looks to be having the time of their lives when in front of the cameras. While we’re on the subject of camera work, GOLD-STAR for the usage of some very panoramic drone shots here – nice touch, cinematically.
At the end of the day when all the blood has been hosed off of the slab, Tepperman’s CRUEL SUMMER PART II is a worthy-addition that (hopefully) will have another installment coming down the pipe in the future. This is a film made by people who are lovers of the genre, and while some might decry “low-budget” indie-horror, I say we as fans should revel in it – these are passion-projects and quite frankly the stuff that keeps the industry truckin’ along. Thanks to Scott Tepperman & Jim O’Rear for offering this up, and keep in mind that both movies are slated to be released months apart in 2023 by Scream Team Releasing and will be available through streaming services, as well as on DVD, Blu-ray & VHS formats.
At the tender age of 6, Matt was indoctrinated into the horror genre by his mother, who asked him to sit down and watch "The Exorcist" with her - ever since then, it's been a blood-soaked, neon-lit, fever dream of an existence. "You don't make horror...horror makes you."
(Can't remember who came up with this quote, but he was probably off-kilter like I am).
