Summer Of 84 (2018) ***1/2

The directing trio behind Turbo Kid (2015) return for Summer Of '84 (2018), a very effective serial killer thriller that on the surface appears to be cut from the same cloth as Stranger Things and It (2017) (and there are certainly similarities, namely the nostalgia), but in some way has more in common with The Guest (2014) and It Follows (2014). Throw in dashes of The 'Burbs (1989) and Stand By Me (1986) and you've got the tone down. The four teenage leads are all excellent and the synth score by Le Matos is another winner. Not every choice (or lack of) works and certain characters and plot points feel underdeveloped, however the film takes an unexpectedly dark turn that sets it apart.