Fourteen-year-old Griffin Nafly is a prodigy—at least in his own mind. Convinced he is the next great American playwright, he spends his summer crafting elaborate dramas about the lives of the adults around him. But when a handsome, twenty-five-year-old handyman named Brad arrives, Griffin’s carefully plotted world is turned upside down, inspiring a new, more personal, and profoundly confusing masterpiece.

This tender and hilarious indie gem features a perfect ensemble cast, blending established stars with exciting new talent. They bring to life a story about the blurry line between observation and experience, and how the most inspiring muses often come from the most unexpected places.

Griffin in Summer full cast

– Everett Blunck as GRIFFIN NAPLY

In a star-making debut, Everett Blunck embodies Griffin Naply with a breathtaking blend of precocious intelligence and aching vulnerability. Blunck perfectly captures the specific agony and ecstasy of a creative teen—the theatrical pronouncements, the crushing self-doubt masked by arrogance, and the wide-eyed wonder of a first crush. He is at once insufferable and utterly endearing.

Blunck’s performance is the film’s radiant core. Watch for the subtle shift in his demeanor when Brad enters the room; the bravado melts away, replaced by a nervous, awe-struck authenticity. He makes us feel every cringe, every triumph, and every heart-stopping moment of Griffin’s seismic summer, ensuring this is a name you won’t forget.

– Owen Teague as BRAD

Owen Teague (IT, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes) brings a grounded, gentle warmth to Brad, the handyman who becomes the unwitting subject of Griffin’s affections and his art. Teague avoids any trope of the aloof object of desire; his Brad is kind, slightly awkward, and genuinely amused by the intense teenager following him around.

Teague’s delicate performance is crucial. He portrays Brad not as a catalyst for angst, but as a genuinely good person who is flattered, confused, and ultimately protective of Griffin’s fragile heart. Their dynamic is less about romance and more about a meaningful, life-altering connection that teaches Griffin about the real human emotion his plays were missing.

– Melanie Lynskey as HELEN

The incredible Melanie Lynskey (Yellowjackets, Candy) is the ideal choice for Helen, Griffin’s mother. Lynskey specializes in portraying women of profound depth, warmth, and quiet exhaustion. She is the exasperated but loving audience to Griffin’s one-man show, trying to navigate her son’s big emotions while likely dealing with her own complexities.

Her scenes with Blunck will be filled with hilarious, relatable moments—a sigh as she steps over set pieces, a knowing look that sees right through her son’s dramatics to the sweet kid beneath. She is the anchor of sanity in Griffin’s theatrical universe.

– Abby Ryder Fortson as KARA & Alivia Bellamy as PAM VANDERWORM

Abby Ryder Fortson (Ant-Man, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.) plays Kara, likely Griffin’s long-suffering yet loyal best friend. She’s the only one who can call him on his nonsense while still being his dedicated stage manager and confidante. Alivia Bellamy enters as the brilliantly named Pam Vanderworm, who undoubtedly becomes a character in Griffin’s play and a source of suburban intrigue.

– Kathryn Newton as CHLOE

Kathryn Newton (Freaky, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania) brings her sharp wit and charm to the role of Chloe. She could be Brad’s age-appropriate love interest, creating a poignant layer of jealousy and observation for Griffin, or a cool older sister figure. Her presence adds a jolt of relatable teen-gone-mainstream energy.

– The Adult World: Michael Esper, Francine Berk & Fred Bryant Sr.

Michael Esper (Trust, The Last Ship) is Bill, likely another adult figure in Griffin’s orbit. Francine Berk appears as Brad’s Mom, a character who could offer a key perspective on her son. Fred Bryant Sr. is Uncle Joey, promising a character filled with familial humor and perhaps a touch of chaos that Griffin is eager to document.

– The Teen Scene: Johanna Colón & Ian Hernandez-Oropeza

Johanna Colón as Winnie Hernandez and Ian Hernandez-Oropeza as Mark round out Griffin’s peer group. They are the fellow actors in his productions, the critics of his work, and the representatives of the “normal” teenage world that Griffin observes like an anthropologist from a distant land.

Every great artist needs a muse. His was mowing the lawn. Find your inspiration in theaters August 29, 2025.