Is Red Hook Summer Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, Red Hook Summer is likely a skip if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 125 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Red Hook Summer Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2012, Red Hook Summer emerges as a significant entry in the Drama domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of When his mom deposits him at the Red Hook housing project in Brooklyn to spend the summer with the grandfather he’s never met, young Flik may as well have landed on Mars. Unlike standard genre fare, Red Hook Summer attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Red Hook Summer features a noteworthy lineup led by Clarke Peters . Supported by the likes of Nate Parker and Thomas Jefferson Byrd , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Red Hook Summer (2012) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.4/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Red Hook Summer Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Red Hook Summer is a Drama film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through nuanced character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Red Hook Summer Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Red Hook Summer attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Red Hook Summer reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Red Hook Summer?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Drama films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Red Hook Summer Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $336.9K |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Advertisement
Full Cast & Crew of Red Hook Summer
- Clarke Peters – Da Good Bishop Enoch Rouse
- Nate Parker – Box
- Thomas Jefferson Byrd – Deacon Zee
- Toni Lysaith – Chazz Morningstar
- Jules Brown – Flik Royale
Top Highlights
Clarke PetersDa Good Bishop Enoch Rouse
Nate ParkerBox
Thomas Jefferson ByrdDeacon Zee
Toni LysaithChazz Morningstar
Jules BrownFlik Royale
Heather SimmsSister Sharon Morningstar
Quincy Tyler BernstineHazel
De'Adre AzizaColleen Royale
Kimberly Hébert GregorySister Sweet
Colman DomingoBlessing Rowe
Where to Watch Red Hook Summer Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
MUBI
MUBI Amazon Channel🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeParents Guide & Age Rating
Red Hook Summer is rated R. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.4/10, and global collection metrics, Red Hook Summer stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2012 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Red Hook Summer movie hit or flop?
Red Hook Summer has received mixed reviews with a 5.4/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Red Hook Summer worth watching?
Red Hook Summer is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Drama movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Red Hook Summer online?
Red Hook Summer is currently available for streaming on MUBI. You can also check for it on platforms like MUBI, MUBI Amazon Channel depending on your region.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked Red Hook Summer
How Red Hook Summer Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Red Hook Summer
Starts off pretty good, gets a bit muddy in the middle with only the ocassional spark but in the end picks up again, with a change of tone that was unexpected but made it a bit more interesting. Although in the end not entirely a religious film there is countless of talks of God and Jesus, in fact there are more scenes with references to one of them than there are without them. The music is great but ocassionally I felt like they could just left the background silent cause it felt like it was pretty nonstop throughout. Spike Lee does have a tendency to overuse music though in general. And some of the scenes (especially the preacher scenes) were too long for their own good. The acting overall is solid especially Clarke Peters as the bishop shines, the kids weren't that amazing though (in particular the girl who played Chazz... 'Ooooooooooooooh!'). Overall it's okay, far better than 'Da Sweet Blood of Jesus' and maybe even slightly better than 'ChiRaq' but it's still far from Spike Lee's work in his heydays we're talking about here. 5.5/10... a weak 3/5.
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
