top of page
Search

Streaming: Griffin in Summer (2024) by Nicholas Colia: A Summer of Art and Anguish

A Young Playwright's Summer Awakening Griffin in Summer is a comedic drama and coming-of-age story directed by Nicholas Colia, who also wrote the screenplay. The film follows fourteen-year-old Griffin Nafly (Everett Blunck), an ambitious playwright. His summer vacation plans of rehearsing his latest play are disrupted by the arrival of Brad (Owen Teague), a twenty-five-year-old handyman hired by his mother, Helen (Melanie Lynskey). As Griffin's world and play are forever changed by his newfound obsession with Brad, the film delivers a heartfelt and hilarious look at the tumultuous emotions of adolescence.

Why to watch this movie: A Charismatic Indie Gem

  • Exceptional Acting and Writing: The film is praised for its "phenomenal" acting and writing. Everett Blunck delivers a stand-out performance in his first lead role as the precocious and passionately dramatic Griffin. He is supported by strong performances from Owen Teague and Melanie Lynskey.

  • A Fresh Take on Coming-of-Age: Instead of being a predictable drama, the film is a clever and sensitive exploration of adolescent angst. It captures the intense, and often cringeworthy, emotions that come with being fourteen, managing to be both laugh-out-loud funny and genuinely moving.

  • A Stand-Out Directorial Debut: Nicholas Colia's first feature film has been hailed as a triumph. His heartfelt script and confident direction showcase a unique talent for blending humor with emotional depth, indicating that he is a major new voice in independent cinema.

What Trend is Followed: The Specificity of the Indie Film

  • Hyper-Specific Character Studies: The film follows the trend of indie cinema that focuses on extremely specific, character-driven narratives rather than broad, universal stories. It avoids generic coming-of-age tropes by centering on a singular, eccentric protagonist, making the film feel fresh and original.

  • "Auteur" Driven Debuts: Griffin in Summer is a strong directorial debut that showcases a clear, singular artistic vision from writer-director Nicholas Colia. This aligns with a trend of independent films where a director's unique voice is the primary selling point.

Director's Vision: The Theater Kid's Tale

  • Affectionate Portrayal of a Teenage Artist: Nicholas Colia's vision is to treat Griffin's youthful ambition with respect rather than condescension. He avoids mocking the character's theatrical pretensions, instead finding genuine affection for that particular brand of teenage seriousness.

  • Balancing Comedy and Authenticity: The director uses the contrast between Griffin's mature aspirations and his childish behavior to create both comedy and emotional truth. He ensures the film's tone remains grounded and never veers into a "scary" or exploitative territory despite the age-gap romance plot.

  • Personal and Specific Storytelling: Colia reimagines his own 2017 short film, Alex and the Handyman, bringing a personal touch to the narrative. His direction is praised for capturing the nuanced ache of first love as a personal earthquake for Griffin, full of both awkwardness and profound discovery.

Themes: The Pain and Passion of First Love

  • Art as a Form of Expression: Griffin uses his play, which is a microcosm of his parents' failing marriage, as a way to process the chaos and pain in his life. The film explores how art, particularly for a young person, can become a vehicle for understanding one's emotional world.

  • Unrequited Love and Obsession: The central theme is Griffin's intense, unreciprocated crush on Brad. The film explores the volatility and painful awkwardness of youthful obsession, and how it can cause a person to lose sight of their friends and creative passions.

  • Growing Pains: The film is a classic coming-of-age story about a boy learning to navigate the messy realities of life. Griffin's journey forces him to confront the gap between his artistic fantasies and the unpredictable nature of human relationships, ultimately leading him toward a more mature understanding of himself.

Key Success Factors: A Perfect Blend of Elements

  • Standout Lead Performance: Everett Blunck's commanding and nuanced performance as Griffin is cited as a major factor in the film's success. He makes a potentially unlikable character endearing and empathetic.

  • Authentic Screenplay: Nicholas Colia's script is lauded for its witty and sincere dialogue, capturing the voice of modern teens with an ear for both humor and emotion. The film's specific and detailed world-building also contributes to its overall charm.

  • Balanced Tonal Approach: The movie's ability to be genuinely funny while also being a heartfelt and sincere portrait of adolescent awkwardness is consistently praised by critics.

Awards and Nominations: A Critically Acclaimed Debut

Griffin in Summer has received 10 wins and 2 nominations. At the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, it won three awards: the Founders Award for Best U.S. Narrative Feature, Best Screenplay for Nicholas Colia, and a Special Jury Mention for the New Narrative Director Award. Colia was also nominated for the Someone to Watch Award at the 2025 Film Independent Spirit Awards.

Critics Reception: Overwhelmingly Positive Reviews

  • Rotten Tomatoes: With a 94% Tomatometer score, critics praised the film as a "charming," "hilarious," and "sincere portrait of youthful ambition." Several reviews from outlets like The Hollywood Reporter and IndieWire highlighted Nicholas Colia's "stellar casting abilities" and his knack for "heartwarming storytelling."

  • Flickering Myth: The review from this site praised Nicholas Colia's directorial debut and noted that the film's editors "understood the assignment: be funny and real." The review also highlighted how the film effectively uses side characters to contrast Griffin's self-absorbed personality, and it commended the film for making Griffin's sexuality a natural part of adolescence.

  • Screen Rant: A review from this site called the film a "brilliant movie about first crushes, becoming much more throughout its brisk runtime thanks to its director's careful touch."

Critics Reception: A Heartfelt Indie Gem

Overall, critics were overwhelmingly positive, lauding the film as a must-see for fans of independent comedies and coming-of-age stories. The film's success is attributed to its ability to be simultaneously funny and deeply sensitive, and its focus on a specific, authentic character. While a few reviews noted the film's "sitcomish" feel, the consensus remains that it is a promising and heartfelt debut.

Reviews: User and Audience Praise

  • IMDb: User reviews on IMDb give the film a 7.1 rating. Many users describe the movie as a "gem," a "delight from start to finish," and a "sweet and funny" story of adolescent angst. Reviewers highlighted Everett Blunck's "phenomenal" performance and praised the film's ability to portray first love and youthful obsession in a way that is both relatable and heartfelt.

  • Fandango: Audience reviews on Fandango praise the film as "so cute, hilarious, and charming." One verified user called it a "very sweet coming of age movie covering a wide range of emotions." The film's humor and its ability to connect with audiences on an emotional level were recurring themes.

  • Metacritic & Reddit: While Metacritic has only a single user review, it gives the film a 7/10 and states it "gives aching shape to a child's need for order in a world that defies their understanding." On Reddit, users on the r/blankies subreddit discussed the film with affection, with one user saying "I agree with Griffin!" and another jokingly telling people to "check on Griffin" because of his dramatic nature, showing a strong emotional connection to the character.

Reviews: A Relatable and Endearing Experience

Audience reviews are very positive, with many viewers feeling a strong connection to Griffin's emotional journey. People found the film to be a laugh-out-loud comedy that also hit on deeper, more emotional truths about growing up. The consensus among viewers is that the film is a fresh, funny, and deeply relatable portrayal of first love and teenage ambition.

Movie Trend: The Specific and the Personal

The film follows the movie trend of focusing on a niche, character-driven story rather than a broad, mainstream narrative. It's a prime example of the "micro-indie" that uses a unique and specific premise to explore universal themes of growing up, love, and self-discovery. This allows for a more personal and authentic feel that stands out from more formulaic studio productions.

Social Trend: Authentic Queer Storytelling

The film follows the growing social trend of authentic and non-stereotypical queer storytelling. It portrays Griffin's crush as a natural and accepted part of his coming-of-age journey, without resorting to tropes of trauma or violence. The story is not about "coming out" but about a young person's first romantic awakening, a narrative that normalizes and celebrates queer experiences.

Final Verdict: A Modern Indie Gem

Griffin in Summer is a must-watch indie film that skillfully blends comedy and drama. It's a fresh and heartfelt coming-of-age story driven by a standout lead performance and a witty, authentic script. The film is a poignant reminder of the chaotic and intense emotions of being a teenager, and it's a promising debut from a new director to watch.


bottom of page