Performance & Direction: Summer Girl Review
Last updated: January 31, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Summer Girl (1983) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Thriller.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Thriller is often anchored by its ensemble, and Summer Girl features a noteworthy lineup led by Barry Bostwick . Supported by the likes of Kim Darby and Diane Franklin , 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?
Story & Plot Summary: Summer Girl
Quick Plot Summary: Summer Girl is a Thriller, Drama, TV Movie film that builds tension through unpredictable twists and keeps audiences guessing until the final reveal. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: Summer Girl
Ending Breakdown: Summer Girl attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to thriller resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, 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 thriller themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Summer Girl reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Summer Girl?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Thriller films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: Summer Girl
All Cast & Crew →
Summer Girl Parents Guide & Age Rating
1983 AdvisoryWondering about Summer Girl age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Summer Girl is 96 minutes (1h 36m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.8/10, and global performance metrics, Summer Girl is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1983 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Summer Girl worth watching?
Summer Girl is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Thriller movies. It has a verified rating of 5.8/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Summer Girl parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Summer Girl identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Summer Girl?
The total duration of Summer Girl is 96 minutes, which is approximately 1h 36m long.
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How Summer Girl Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Summer Girl
**_Dare-devil, she-devil, printer's-devil, evil_** A couple (Barry Bostwick & Kim Darby) and their two kids enjoy a summer at a beach house, but the girl they hired as a nanny (Diane Franklin) is sultrier than expected and, worse, has diabolical intentions. "Summer Girl" (1983) is a television movie cut from the same cloth as “The Babysitter” (1980), both of which influenced future films like “Poison Ivy” (1992). It’s actually better than “The Babysitter” because Diane Franklin is (surprisingly) superior to Stephanie Zimbalist in what is basically the same role, not to mention it’s hard to beat the beach house locations. These kinds of flicks emphasize how a blossoming young woman has power and more so depending on her beauty and the ability to use it to her advantage. This ‘power’ can lead to calamity if the girl is mentally ill or a she-devil (which often go hand-in-hand). The film runs 1 hour, 35 minutes, and was shot in Hawaii. GRADE: B
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This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
Useful Links
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