What Is Griffin in Summer About?
The premise of Griffin in Summer in 246 words, with nothing given away. The full story and the ending follow below.
In a lazy suburban summer, fourteen‑year‑old Griffin Nafly spends his days hunched over a script that he believes will define his generation. A prodigious playwright with Broadway ambitions, he treats the backyard pool and the quiet hum of his neighborhood as both sanctuary and stage, shaping a drama that mirrors the uneasy marriage of his mother Helen and father Bill. The house becomes a micro‑cosm of tension and creativity, where rehearsals with his close‑knit circle of friends blur the line between play and real life.
When a charismatic twenty‑five‑year‑old handyman named Brad Rizzo arrives to mend the family pool, the rhythm of Griffin’s summer is disrupted. Brad, an aspiring actor returning from the city, carries his own artistic dreams under a practical exterior, and his presence introduces a magnetic, unexpected spark to Griffin’s carefully ordered world. Their shared love for performance and a willingness to push boundaries hint at a deeper connection that challenges Griffin’s confident, self‑contained identity.
Meanwhile, Kara, Griffin’s best friend and self‑appointed director, strives to keep the fledgling production afloat amid the inevitable drift of teenage plans and budding romances. The ensemble—composed of friends who each bring their own quirks and aspirations—creates a lively, slightly chaotic backdrop that reflects the film’s tone: a blend of earnest coming‑of age, witty self‑reflection, and the subtle anxiety of stepping beyond the familiar. As summer stretches on, the characters navigate the fragile balance between artistic ambition and the messy, often surprising emotions that surface when worlds collide.
What Happens in Griffin in Summer?
The complete story of Griffin in Summer, from the first scene to the last, in 713 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
Griffin Nafly [Everett Blunck] is a 14-year-old aspiring playwright who dreams of moving to New York City and staging his plays on Broadway. For his summer vacation, Griffin works on his latest piece, a divorce drama he describes as “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? meets American Beauty” titled Regrets of Autumn. The play is inspired by the marital troubles between his mother Helen [Melanie Lynskey] and father Bill. His best friend Kara [Abby Ryder Fortson] offers to be the director, while their friends Winnie [Johanna Colón], Pam [Alivia Bellamy], and Tyler [Gordon Rocks] fill out the cast. He is dismayed to learn that Kara will be spending part of her summer in Maine with her new boyfriend, but she promises to stay updated by phone.
One day, Griffin sees Helen has hired 25-year-old handyman Brad Rizzo [Owen Teague] to work on the family pool. Brad is an aspiring actor who has just moved back from New York City after his acting career stalled. Griffin is initially annoyed with Brad when his playwriting is disrupted by the loud techno music he plays outside while working. However, he begins to develop a crush on the oblivious Brad and offers him liquor from his parents’ cabinet to get closer to him. Brad and Griffin develop a friendship over their shared interest in art.
Griffin stakes out Brad at a bar, but is disappointed to find that he is there with a girlfriend, Chloe [Kathryn Newton]. Nevertheless, he looks for ways to get Brad involved with his play. He abruptly fires Tyler and asks Brad to take over the role. Brad tentatively agrees to do the play after Griffin says he will pay him; his addition to the play causes changes to the writing and the dynamics among the remaining cast. When Kara voices concerns to Griffin about the changes, he insults her and her boyfriend.
In the hopes of breaking up Brad’s relationship with Chloe, Griffin sends a sexually explicit email to him under the fake persona of an older woman named Glenn Bening. Chloe sees the email and breaks up with Brad, sending him into a tailspin. A frustrated Brad vents his feelings to Griffin one day by a lake. He sadly confesses that he feels like a failure who had to move back to the suburbs, and that Griffin is probably his only friend here. Griffin reassures Brad that he is not a loser and that he is the best thing that has happened to him.
The following day, when Brad does not show up to rehearsals, he goes to Brad’s mom’s house to find him. He discovers that Brad has moved back to New York City. In a text message, Brad apologizes for not being able to do Griffin’s play, but says that his breakup with Chloe spurred him to rethink his life and make another go at his dreams in NYC. Griffin impulsively takes a train to New York and locates Brad at his apartment. When Brad expresses confusion at his presence, Griffin confesses his feelings for him, including his hopes that the two can get a place when Griffin turns eighteen and create art together. He also admits that he is behind the Glenn Bening email. A startled Brad says he is not gay; he then rejects Griffin and tells him to leave.
A distraught Griffin calls Helen, who has been frantic over his absence. As they reconcile, Griffin admits to transferring money from her bank account to pay Brad, which Helen haltingly forgives. He also makes up with Kara after telling her about Brad. Griffin is worried that the play may be over since his behavior alienated the cast, but Kara urges him to make amends with the group. After Griffin makes a sincere apology to Tyler, Pam, and Winnie, they agree to be in the play again.
At the end of the summer, the friends debut the play at a community center. Griffin has changed some of the lines to reflect him getting over Brad. Afterwards, Winnie introduces him to her friend Mark [Ian Hernandez-Oropeza], who expresses his enjoyment of Griffin’s work. Griffin invites Mark to the cast afterparty at his house, and when he sees all his friends happily swimming in the pool, he decides to join them.
Griffin in Summer Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Griffin begins Regrets of Autumn” to “Premiere and poolside celebration”. 12 events name a place, across 10 locations.
- 1
Griffin begins Regrets of Autumn
Griffin Nafly, a 14-year-old aspiring playwright, begins drafting Regrets of Autumn, a divorce drama inspired by his parents' troubles. He dreams of moving to New York City and staging his plays on Broadway. The project sets the tone for his summer as he imagines a future for his work.
When:Summer Where:Griffin's home
- 2
Kara becomes director and casts begin
Kara volunteers to direct Griffin's play, taking the first major step toward putting Regrets of Autumn on its feet. She helps recruit Winnie, Pam, and Tyler to fill the roles and starts lining up rehearsals. Griffin feels excited, even as he recognizes the undertaking will demand more time and effort than he expected.
When:Summer Where:Griffin's living room
- 3
Brad Rizzo hired; Griffin's crush grows
Helen hires Brad Rizzo, a 25-year-old handyman with acting ambitions, to help with the family pool. Griffin is initially irritated by Brad's loud techno outside while he works, but the two gradually connect through shared interests in art. A crush begins to form as their conversations deepen.
When:Summer Where:Family pool
- 4
Griffin scouts Brad at a bar; Brad's girlfriend
Griffin stakes out Brad at a bar hoping to find ways to cast him in the play, only to learn Brad is there with a girlfriend, Chloe. He persists in pursuing a role for Brad and plots ways to involve him in the production. The possibility of Brad joining the cast becomes a rising fixation for Griffin.
When:Summer Where:Local bar
- 5
Brad joins the cast; script changes; tensions rise
Brad tentatively agrees to take a role after Griffin offers payment, and his arrival prompts changes to the script and the dynamics among the remaining cast. Tyler is fired to make room for Brad, reshaping the ensemble. Griffin's insecurity leads him to lash out at Kara when she voices concerns about the shifting plans.
When:Summer Where:Rehearsal space
- 6
Glenn Bening email triggers a breakup
Griffin writes and sends a sexually explicit email to Brad under the alias 'Glenn Bening' in a misguided attempt to break up Brad and Chloe. Chloe reads the message and ends her relationship with Brad, throwing him into a tailspin. The incident exposes Griffin's growing possessiveness and the fragility of the production.
When:Summer Where:Online / Griffin's home
- 7
Brad vents at the lake; Griffin reassures
Brad confides at a lakeside conversation that he feels like a failure and has returned from New York to ordinary life, naming Griffin as his closest friend there. Griffin offers reassurance, insisting that Brad is not a loser and that their friendship matters. The moment deepens their emotional vulnerability as the summer progresses.
When:Summer Where:Lakeside
- 8
Brad returns to NYC; Griffin follows
Brad moves back to New York City, apologizing in a text for missing rehearsals as he rethinks his future. Griffin impulsively boards a train to NYC to find Brad and tries to reconnect in his apartment. The reunion is tense, with Griffin confessing his feelings and hoping they can build something together.
When:New York City Where:Brad's NYC apartment
- 9
Griffin's confession; Brad's rejection
Griffin confesses his romantic feelings and dreams of a shared life, but Brad reveals he is not gay and asks Griffin to leave. The rejection shatters Griffin's confidence and threatens the summer production. Brad's honesty forces Griffin to confront the limits of his obsession and the reality of their relationship.
When:New York City Where:Brad's NYC apartment
- 10
Griffin reconciles with family and pays Brad
Griffin calls his mother Helen, who has been frantic over his absence, and transfers money from her account to pay Brad, which Helen slowly forgives. He also apologizes to Kara, Tyler, Pam, and Winnie, and the group begins to mend their rift. The cast agrees to rejoin the production and commit to finishing the play.
When:After NYC trip Where:Helen's home / rehearsal space
- 11
Rebuilding trust; cast stays in the play
Kara guides the cast to rebuild trust and commit to the play, with Griffin's apologies strengthening the group. Winnie, Pam, Tyler, and the others decide to stay in the production and give Regrets of Autumn another shot. The emotional repair reinvigorates the ensemble and refocuses the project.
When:Late Summer Where:Rehearsal space
- 12
Premiere and poolside celebration
The friends debut Regrets of Autumn at a community center, with Griffin tweaking lines to reflect his growth and letting go of his obsession with Brad. Winnie introduces Mark, who enjoys the work and joins the cast. The day ends with a poolside afterparty at Griffin's house as he finally joins his friends in the water.
When:End of Summer Where:Community center; Griffin's house pool
Who Are the Main Characters in Griffin in Summer?
11 characters, among them Griffin Nafly, Brad Rizzo and Chloe: who each one is and the part they play in the story. 10 of them link to the actor’s page.
- GN
Griffin Nafly
A 14-year-old aspiring playwright who dreams of moving to New York City to stage his work on Broadway. He spearheads Regrets of Autumn, drawing from his parents' divorce for inspiration. His enthusiasm for art is intense, yet his lack of boundaries can strain friendships as he manipulates events to fit his vision.
- 🧒 Teen
- 🎭 Artist
- 🧠 Dreamer
-
Brad Rizzo
Played by Owen Teague
A 25-year-old handyman recently back from New York City, Brad is artistic and open but also uncertain about his career. He becomes Griffin’s magnetic but complicated friend, while still being involved with his girlfriend Chloe. Griffin’s feelings for him drive tension, and Brad’s choices push the group’s dynamics to a breaking point.
- 🎭 Actor
- 🎨 Artist
- 🧭 Dreamer
-
Chloe
Played by Kathryn Newton
Brad’s girlfriend who is part of the social circle and the cast. She is perceptive about Griffin’s changes to the script and voices concerns about the direction of the play. After Griffin’s fake Glenn Bening email, she breaks up with Brad, contributing to the group’s upheaval before reconciliation.
- 🎭 Cast member
- 💬 Confidant
- 💕 Romantic interest
-
Kara
Played by Abby Ryder Fortson
Griffin’s best friend who offers to direct the play. She contends with Griffin’s shifts in the script and balances friendships within the group. She must navigate her personal summer plans in Maine while staying engaged with the production.
- 🎭 Cast member
- 👯♀️ Friend
- 💬 Advisor
-
Winnie Hernandez
Played by Johanna Colón
A cast member who helps keep the group cohesive. She participates in the play and is instrumental in reuniting Griffin with the rest of the ensemble, eventually introducing Mark to Griffin’s work.
- 🎭 Cast member
- 👥 Friend
- 🗺️ Connector
- PV
Pam Vanderworm
Played by Alivia Bellamy
Cast member who supports the production and acts as a stabilizing presence within the ensemble. Her participation helps sustain the group's friendship and collaborative spirit during rehearsals.
- 🎭 Cast member
- 🤝 Friend
- 💬 Supportive
- TS
Tyler Smoot-Rigsby
Played by Gordon Rocks
Another cast member who is replaced by Brad as Griffin reshapes the production. His role underscores the volatility of the summer project and the shifting dynamics of the group.
- 🎭 Cast member
- 🧭 Friend
- 💔 Setback
- M
Mark
Played by Ian Hernandez-Oropeza
A new connection introduced toward the end of the summer who expresses appreciation for Griffin’s work and becomes part of the cast dynamics. His arrival symbolizes Griffin’s expanding circle and creative potential.
- 🎭 Cast member
- 🧠 Creative
- 🧑🎨 Newcomer
-
Helen
Played by Melanie Lynskey
Griffin’s mother, who is navigating a strained marriage with Bill. She supports Griffin's art and, after a period of turmoil, reconciles with him, reinforcing family bonds and forgiveness.
- 👩👧 Mother
- 💞 Caring
- 🧠 Strong
- B
Bill
Played by Michael Esper
Griffin’s father, whose marital troubles with Helen become a backdrop for Griffin’s play. The adult conflict informs the themes of family, communication, and artistic inspiration.
- 👨 Father
- 💬 Troubled
- 🧩 Complex
- BM
Brad's Mom
Played by Francine Berk
Brad’s mother, a protective figure who becomes aware of the evolving situation and participates in guiding her son through the summer’s events.
- 👩 Mother
- 🗣️ Protective
- 💖 Understanding
Where and When Is Griffin in Summer Set?
Griffin in Summer is set in Suburban family home with a pool, Maine, New York City and Community center (Summer). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Summer
The events take place over a single summer vacation, rooting the drama in sunlit days, late-night talks, and weekend trips. It centers on Griffin’s impulsive artistic project and the evolving dynamics among friends and family during this period. The timeframe emphasizes coming-of-age tensions and the urgency of youth-driven creativity during a formative season.
Where
Suburban family home with a pool, Maine, New York City, Community center
The story largely unfolds around Griffin’s family home with a pool in a suburban setting, with scenes shifting to a Maine trip and occasional glimpses of New York City. The poolside summers and local community spaces anchor the action, as the group rehearses and performs the play at a community center. The environment blends everyday family life with creative ambitions and teen friendships.
- 🏡 Suburban
- 🌊 Pool
- 🗽 City life
What Are the Themes of Griffin in Summer?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Ambition, Love and Jealousy and Art and Identity.
-
01
Ambition
Griffin’s drive to stage a new play drives much of the plot, highlighting how artistic ambition can push friendships apart even as it binds people together. The process of writing and staging Regrets of Autumn becomes a mirror for Griffin’s own yearnings and insecurities. The theme explores the double-edged sword of creative pursuit in adolescence.
-
02
Love and Jealousy
Griffin’s crush on Brad triggers jealousy and poor judgment, culminating in the Glenn Bening email that fractures the duo’s relationships. The fallout with Brad and the unraveling of trust test the limits of friendship and romance. The arc shows how unreciprocated feelings can destabilize a tight-knit group.
-
03
Art and Identity
The play acts as a vessel for Griffin to explore identity, belonging, and how personal stories shape who we become. The collaboration forces him to confront others’ feelings and the consequences of manipulating art for personal desire. Through rehearsal and performance, Griffin negotiates who he is within his community.
-
04
Friendship and Forgiveness
Despite missteps, the ensemble learns to apologize, forgive, and recommit to the creative project. The cast’s willingness to return to the play after conflicts demonstrates the resilience of their friendship. The final debut at the community center caps a summer of growth, reconciliation, and shared achievement.
How Does Griffin in Summer End?
The last act of Griffin in Summer and what it means, in 269 words. The ending lands as bittersweet. Big spoilers: read the plot summary first if you have not seen it.
The final act, in full
By the film’s closing night Griffin finally pieces his fractured summer back together. After countless arguments and a chaotic rehearsal, his friends—especially Kara, who returns from Maine—re‑join the production, and his mother Helen helps secure a modest local stage. The play is performed, not in the grand theater he dreamed of, but in a community space filled with the people who truly care about him. Brad, the older handyman who had become Griffin’s obsessive crush, never shows up; instead, Griffin receives a polite apology from him and a note of gratitude for having nudged Brad back toward his own art.
The real emotional pivot comes when a shy classmate named Mark appears at the after‑party. Their instant connection hints at a new, healthier romance, a contrast to the painful, one‑sided infatuation with Brad. As the party dwindles, Griffin stands at the edge of the pool, looks around at his friends—including the newly‑found Mark—and the camera lingers on his thoughtful face. The film then cuts to black just as he steps forward, implying that he finally jumps into the water.
That plunge is symbolic: throughout the summer Griffin has been a boy stuck on the shore, haunted by his parents’ failing marriage, his friends’ indifference, and an impossible crush. By diving, he lets go of that “ball of sadness” that has weighed him down, embracing the support of his mother, the renewed camaraderie with his peers, and the promise of fresh love. The ending leaves us with a feeling of liberation and the quiet confidence that Griffin’s summer—despite its turbulence—has become a turning point toward a more hopeful, connected future.
What Kind of Film Is Griffin in Summer?
Bittersweet in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Bittersweet
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A bittersweet and gently awkward coming-of-age story that captures the tender confusion of a first crush and artistic ambition, balancing moments of heartache with a hopeful, reflective conclusion.
- coming-of-age
- awkward
- hopeful
- melancholic
- reflective
- quirky
- first crush
- unrequited love
- artistic ambition
- mother-son relationship
Quiz
How well do you remember Griffin in Summer? Test yourself on the story.
