SUMMER OF ‘84
Official Selection 2018 Sundance Film Festival
Winner, Jury Prize 2018 Cinepocalypse Film Festival (Best Screenplay)
Nominated, Jury Prize 2018 Molins de Rei Horror Film Festival (Best Screenplay)
Available now on DVD, Blu-ray and your video-on-demand platform of choice.
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.
Directed by RKSS
Written by Smith & Leslie
Starring
Graham Verchere, Judah Lewis, Caleb Emery,
Cory Gruter-Andrew, Tiera Skovbye, Rich Sommer
PRESS
“Mad Men” star Rich Sommer and Tiera Skovbye of “Riverdale” are starring in the horror-thriller “Summer of ’84” with production beginning Wednesday in Vancouver, Variety has learned exclusively. Matt Leslie is producing with Jameson Parker and Shawn Williamson from Brightlight Pictures alongside Cody Zwieg who will oversee production for Gunpowder & Sky. François Simard, Anouk Whissell and Yoann-Karl Whissell are directing from a script by Leslie and writing partner, Stephen J. Smith.
Variety
Creative Screenwriting Magazine
Matt and I spoke with freelance journalist Brock Swinson about our process when writing “Summer of ‘84.”
“Summer of ’84 gains in interest and urgency as it goes. …. The last forty minutes zip tensely along, including the priceless scene of Davey’s father marching the boys right over to that cop’s house and making them each apologize to his face for having gone through his trash and suspecting him of murder. It’s hilarious, uncomfortable, original, and the start of something new in what had until now been a saltily comic retread: It’s scary.”
THE VILLAGE VOICE
“The final moments see a broken Davey, one that realizes his life ahead will be fraught with terror and fear, his childhood safety stripped away by a single monologue. It’s a marvelous twist that upends and destroys that same carefree atmosphere the film spent so long lingering within. …. You’ll leave this film shaken.”
Sundance Review: Dread Central
PODCASTS
On this bonus episode of Heroes of Noise, Dan sits down with screenwriters Matt Leslie and Stephen J Smith to talk about all things Summer of 84. Learn how they met, their introduction to RKSS, the casting process, future endeavors and more. These guys were great and we wholeheartedly thank them for stopping by Heroes of Noise to chat it up.
HEROES OF NOISE
TERROR INPODNITO
We're back with another episode of our podcast special, The Gory Details. This week we've got a bit of a writer's round table featuring Stephen Smith and Matt Leslie (Summer of '84) and J.P. Willie (Blood in the Woods). We discuss everything from the state of modern horror to experience working in the industry. Enjoy!
Brian and Drew are joined by screenwriters Matt Leslie and Stephen J. Smith to discuss their breakout movie Summer of 84 … and pretty much geek over all the pop culture that still informs what we love today. We find out how they write as a duo and what it took to get Summer of 84 made. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
VCRWORLD
Garrett and Dan are joined by writers Stephen J. Smith and Matt Leslie to discuss Joe Dante's The ‘Burbs. They also share insight into their writing process, and their exciting upcoming projects like their directorial debut
The Knocking, a series based on the Polybius arcade conspiracy, and Angel of Dust, a film they wrote that is to be directed by RZA and scored by Wu-Tang Clan.
I LIKE TO MOVIE MOVIE
It is a new month, so you all know what that means?! That's right! A new rotation of horror - this month we are talking about Summer horrors. Dead in the Sun month is kicking off with two episodes!
Not only are we breaking down Summer of '84, but we have a companion episode with the screenwriters, Matt Leslie and Stephen J. Smith, interviewed by our HeadKnight, Prince. Make sure to head back in your podcast feed for that episode.
KNIGHT LIGHT
We have an exclusive interview for all of you this time around! We are bringing a companion episode with our breakdown of Summer of '84.
Our HeadKnight, Prince, sits down with the screenwriters' Matt Leslie and Stephen J. Smith to discuss Summer of '84, their history with genre, and their future projects that they are currently working on.
KNIGHT LIGHT (INTERVIEW)
In our debut episode Mark introduces Niall and Marcus to Scream and Summer of 84. SPOILER ALERT is also in effect as the boys talk about Avengers Endgame. WARNING! We talk in full spoiler detail about all films cover in this podcast.
SNAKEBITE HORRORCAST
SNAKEBITE HORRORCAST (INTERVIEW)
In a very special episode, Mark and the boys are joined by the writers and producer of Summer of 84, Matt Leslie and Stephen J Smith, to talk about two fun horror films, Satan's Slaves and Devil's Candy. The Boys also have a great conversation about Summer of 84, sequel ideas and more.