What Is Griffin in Summer About?
The premise of Griffin in Summer in 345 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a languid suburb where endless days stretch over a house with a pool under construction, Griffin spends his summer not chasing typical teenage pastimes but laboring over a play that fuses the sharpness of classic drama with the melancholy of his own family’s friction. At fourteen, he already dreams of New York stages, rehearsing lines in the backyard and sketching scenes that mirror the quiet unraveling he observes at home. The tone of his world is a blend of earnest ambition and the breezy uncertainty of youth, a place where imagination turns ordinary summer heat into a crucible for creativity.
The household is a subtle stage of its own. Helen, Griffin’s mother, and Bill, his father, navigate a marriage that feels both familiar and strained, providing the raw material for his writing. His best friend, Kara, steps in as the would‑be director, while a close‑knit circle of classmates—Winnie, Pam, and Tyler—offers the promise of a makeshift troupe. Their camaraderie is marked by the usual mix of teenage loyalty and the occasional clash of egos, setting the scene for a collaborative endeavor that feels as much about personal growth as about the performance.
Into this mix arrives Brad, a 25‑year‑old handyman hired to work on the family pool. He carries his own artistic baggage, having chased acting dreams in New York before returning home. His presence introduces a new rhythm: the thump of techno music from his worksite, the scent of fresh paint, and an unexpected, quiet charisma that catches Griffin’s eye. What begins as irritation soon hints at a deeper curiosity, as the teenage playwright sees in Brad a living embodiment of the theatrical world he so desperately wants to join.
The film balances the gentle humor of adolescent schemes with the tender ache of unspoken longing. It paints a summer that feels both timeless and charged, where the boundaries between creator and muse blur, and where each character navigates the delicate act of discovering who they are while the vague promise of a future stage—and perhaps something more—glimmers just beyond the backyard fence.
What Happens in Griffin in Summer?
The complete story of Griffin in Summer, from the first scene to the last, in 667 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 10 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Griffin, 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 is at work 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 draws from the marital troubles between his mother Helen, Melanie Lynskey, and father Bill, Michael Esper.
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. Kara also promises to stay connected by phone, even as she spends part of the summer in Maine with her new boyfriend.
One day, Griffin notices that Helen has hired a 25-year-old handyman named Brad, Owen Teague, to work on the family pool. Brad is an aspiring actor who recently moved back from New York City after his acting career stalled. Griffin is initially irritated by the loud techno music Brad blasts outside while working, but he soon finds himself developing a crush and even offers him liquor from his parents’ cabinet to get closer. The two young artists discover a shared love of art, and a tenuous friendship begins to form.
Griffin stakes out Brad at a bar, only to learn that Brad is there with a girlfriend, Chloe, Kathryn Newton. Undeterred, Griffin tries to find ways to involve Brad in his play. He abruptly fires Tyler and asks Brad to take over the role, and Brad tentatively agrees after Griffin promises to pay him; Brad’s addition to the production shifts the writing and changes the dynamics among the remaining cast. When Kara voices concerns to Griffin about these changes, he lashes out at her and her boyfriend, further straining the group.
In an attempt to distance Brad from Chloe, Griffin sends a sexually explicit email to Brad under the fake persona of an older woman named “Glenn Bening.” Chloe sees the message and breaks up with Brad, sending him into a tailspin. A frustrated Brad vents to Griffin by a lake, admitting that he feels like a failure who had to move back to the suburbs, and that Griffin may be his only real friend in this town. Griffin reassures him that he is not a loser and that Brad is the best thing that has happened to him.
The next day, Brad skips rehearsals and Griffin learns that Brad has moved back to New York City. Brad sends a text apologizing for not being able to stay in Griffin’s production, saying that the breakup with Chloe has pushed him to rethink his life and pursue his dreams again in NYC. Griffin impulsively hops a train to New York and tracks Brad down at his apartment. There, he confesses his feelings again, including hopes that the two could share a place when Griffin turns eighteen and make art together. Brad makes it clear that he is not gay and tells Griffin to leave.
Griffin is distraught and phones his mother, Helen, who has been frantic over his disappearance. They eventually reconcile, and Griffin admits that he transferred money from Helen’s bank account to Brad to help him, a gesture Helen slowly forgives. He also makes amends with Kara after telling her about Brad. Griffin worries that the play may be doomed because of how his behavior alienated the cast, but Kara urges him to repair the rift with the others. After Griffin sincerely apologizes to Tyler, Pam, and Winnie, they all agree to rejoin the project.
As summer ends, the friends debut the play at a community center. Griffin tweaks a few lines to reflect his growth and his move past Brad. Winnie introduces him to her friend Mark, Ian Hernandez-Oropeza, who expresses genuine appreciation for Griffin’s work. Griffin then 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 “Mark joins and the poolside afterparty”. 12 events name a place, across 11 locations.
- 1
Griffin begins Regrets of Autumn
Griffin Nafly spends his summer drafting his new play, Regrets of Autumn, a divorce drama inspired by his parents' troubles. He describes it as a mash-up of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and American Beauty and dreams of staging it on Broadway. The project occupies his thoughts as the season unfolds, shaping his summer plans.
When:early summer Where:Griffin's home studio
- 2
Brad hired to fix the pool
Helen hires Brad Rizzo, a 25-year-old handyman and aspiring actor, to fix the family pool. Griffin is immediately annoyed by the loud techno music blasting from Brad's headphones while he works. Despite the tension, Griffin starts noticing Brad's charm and his sensitivity to art.
When:early summer Where:Family pool area
- 3
Griffin and Brad form a bond
Griffin develops a crush on Brad and begins to bond with him over their shared love of art. He even offers Brad liquor from his parents' cabinet to get closer, crossing lines in his enthusiasm. The two men form a tentative friendship as they discuss Griffin's play and Brad's acting dreams.
When:mid-summer Where:Griffin's home / neighborhood
- 4
Griffin pursues Brad at a bar
Griffin stakes out Brad at a bar, hoping to gauge his availability for the project. He learns Brad has a girlfriend, Chloe, complicating his plan to cast him. Undeterred, Griffin keeps pursuing a role for Brad and continues to push the production forward.
When:mid-summer Where:Local bar
- 5
Brad joins the cast, tensions rise
Griffin fires Tyler and offers Brad the lead role, provided he will be paid. Brad tentatively agrees, and his addition forces changes to the script and the group’s dynamics. Kara voices concerns about the shifts, and Griffin responds by insulting Kara and her boyfriend.
When:mid-summer Where:Rehearsal space
- 6
Glenn Bening email and Chloe's breakup
Griffin creates an anonymous email persona, 'Glenn Bening', and sends a sexually explicit message to Brad to shake his relationship with Chloe. Chloe discovers the email and breaks up with Brad, sending him spiraling emotionally. The incident exposes Griffin's volatile ambition behind the scenes.
When:mid-summer Where:Griffin's home / online
- 7
Brad vents by the lake
Brad vents to Griffin by a lakeside, confessing that he feels like a failure and that Griffin may be his only friend. He reveals the weight of moving back to the suburbs and the fear that his dream may be slipping away. Griffin offers reassurance, insisting Brad is not a loser and that their friendship matters.
When:late summer Where:Lakeside
- 8
Griffin confronts Brad in NYC
Brad moves back to New York City after the breakup, and Griffin texts him that he can't do the play. In a spontaneous move, Griffin travels to NYC to find Brad, locating him at his apartment and confessing his romantic feelings and hopes for a future together. Brad bluntly rejects him, saying he is not gay and asking Griffin to leave.
When:late summer Where:Brad's NYC apartment
- 9
Griffin reconciles with family and friends
A distraught Griffin calls his mother Helen, and they work toward reconciliation. He admits transferring money from Helen's bank account to Brad to help him, and Helen haltingly forgives him. He also makes up with Kara, acknowledging the damage his actions caused to the group.
When:late summer Where:Helen's home
- 10
Apology tour and cast renewals
Griffin apologizes sincerely to Tyler, Pam, and Winnie, and the cast agrees to return to the production. Kara urges him to repair the relationships and keep faith in the group's shared artistic goal. The team begins to reassemble for the delayed rehearsal process.
When:late summer Where:Rehearsal space
- 11
Community center debut
The friends debut the revised Regrets of Autumn at a community center, with Griffin having adjusted lines to reflect his growth and moving on from Brad. The performance reintroduces the cast to the town and marks Griffin's maturation as writer and organizer. The audience receives the play with warmth and curiosity.
When:end of summer Where:Community center
- 12
Mark joins and the poolside afterparty
Winnie introduces Griffin to her friend Mark, who expresses appreciation for Griffin's work. Griffin invites Mark to join the cast for the afterparty at his house, and the night ends with all friends happily swimming in the pool. Seeing the new sense of belonging and artistic possibility, Griffin joins the celebration.
When:end of summer Where:Griffin's house / pool
Who Are the Main Characters in Griffin in Summer?
11 characters, among them Griffin Nafly (Everett Blunck), Brad Rizzo (Owen Teague) and Chloe (Kathryn Newton): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- GN
Griffin Nafly (Everett Blunck)
Played by Everett Blunck
Griffin is a 14-year-old aspiring playwright who dreams of moving to New York City to stage his works on Broadway. He spends the summer drafting Regrets of Autumn, a divorce drama inspired by his parents' troubled marriage. He is initially irritated by Brad's disruptive, loud work but soon becomes obsessed with drawing Brad into his production, testing boundaries between art and friendship. His ambition drives the plot, but his relationships suffer before he humbles himself and works to repair the group.
- 🎭 Creative
- 💡 Ambition
- 🌱 Growth
-
Brad Rizzo (Owen Teague)
Played by Owen Teague
Brad is a 25-year-old handyman who has just moved back from New York City after his acting career stalled. He forms a tentative bond with Griffin through shared artistic interest, even as his life becomes entangled in Griffin's play and the evolving love triangle with Chloe. After Griffin's anonymous Glenn Bening email devastates Brad and drives a wedge between him and Chloe, Brad reevaluates his life and decides to chase his dreams in NYC again. His resilience contrasts with Griffin's impulsiveness, setting up a tense emotional reunion.
- 🎭 Ambition
- 💔 Heartbreak
- 🌆 NYC dream
-
Chloe (Kathryn Newton)
Played by Kathryn Newton
Chloe is Brad's girlfriend who plans to spend part of the summer in Maine. She becomes entwined in the play's social circle but ultimately breaks up with Brad after discovering the Glenn Bening email. She represents the practical, boundary-conscious side of relationships amid Griffin's artistic fever, offering a counterpoint to the summer's drama.
- 💞 Romance
- ☀️ Summer
- 🚦 Boundaries
-
Kara (Abby Ryder Fortson)
Played by Abby Ryder Fortson
Kara is Griffin's best friend and the on-screen director of his summer piece. She strives to keep the cast cohesive as Griffin's shifts threaten the group's dynamics, offering guidance while balancing her own stake in the project. Her loyalty and willingness to forgive become crucial to the ensemble's revival and final performance.
- 🎬 Director
- 🎭 Friendship
- 🤝 Support
-
Helen Nafly (Melanie Lynskey)
Played by Melanie Lynskey
Helen is Griffin's mother, navigating a troubled marriage with Bill that colors the summer's emotional landscape. She is frantic at times over Griffin's absence but ultimately shows forgiving, protective love. Her willingness to work through conflict helps anchor the family's resilience during the artistic upheaval.
- 💔 Family
- 💖 Love
- 🏠 Home
- BN
Bill Nafly (Michael Esper)
Played by Michael Esper
Bill is Griffin's father, a quieter, more restrained presence whose relationship with Helen adds stakes to the family drama. He supports Griffin's artistic impulses while offering a grounded, sometimes distant, perspective on ambition and responsibility. His presence underscores the tension between pursuing dreams and maintaining family stability.
- 👨 Family dynamics
- 🗣️ Communication
- 🧭 Boundaries
-
Winnie Hernandez (Johanna Colón)
Played by Johanna Colón
Winnie is one of Griffin's castmates and a steady friend who helps guide the production through its ups and downs. She remains supportive and pragmatic as the group navigates conflicts and changes. Her calm, encouraging presence helps sustain the ensemble and points toward a hopeful future for Griffin's work.
- 🎭 Castmate
- 🤝 Friendship
- 🌟 Support
- PV
Pam Vanderworm (Alivia Bellamy)
Played by Alivia Bellamy
Pam is part of the ensemble who participates in the play and keeps the group connected. She voices concerns when Griffin's shifts threaten the group's unity and contributes to the push for reconciliation. Her steady involvement helps drive the final act of unity and collaboration within the troupe.
- 🎭 Ensemble
- 🤝 Friendship
- 💬 Support
- TS
Tyler Smoot-Rigsby (Gordon Rocks)
Played by Gordon Rocks
Tyler is a friend in the cast who is displaced when Brad is brought in to take over a role. His disappointment highlights the price of Griffin's shifting control over the production. Despite being sidelined, he remains part of the cast and supports the group through the summer's tumultuous changes.
- 🎭 Castmember
- 🤝 Friendship
- 💬 Support
- M(
Mark (Ian Hernandez-Oropeza)
Played by Ian Hernandez-Oropeza
Mark is Winnie’s friend who attends the cast’s afterparty and expresses his appreciation for Griffin's work. His presence signals a new, positive connection to Griffin's art and a hint at future collaborations. He represents the audience’s reception and the potential for Griffin to grow as a playwright.
- 🎭 Audience
- ✨ New connections
- 🎉 Afterparty
- BM
Brad's Mom (Francine Berk)
Played by Francine Berk
Brad's Mom is a parent in Brad's suburban world, appearing in scenes around the home as family life intersects with Griffin's artistic chaos. She embodies ordinary, everyday concerns that contrast with the summer's grander artistic ambitions. Her presence grounds the story in the realities of family life during a turbulent season.
- 👩 Parent
- 💬 Family
- 🏡 Home
Where and When Is Griffin in Summer Set?
Griffin in Summer is set in Griffin's suburban family home, poolside, bar, New York City, Maine, lake (Contemporary (summer)). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Contemporary (summer)
The events take place over a single summer in a contemporary setting. The timeframe centers on school-free days, weekend hangouts, and the creative process of Griffin's theater project, all unfolding within a tight, sun-soaked season.
Where
Griffin's suburban family home, poolside, bar, New York City, Maine, lake
The story unfolds largely around a suburban family home with a pool, where Griffin writes and rehearses his play. The action shifts to bars, a lake, and ultimately to New York City, reflecting a mix of small-town life and urban dreams. The summer setting ties together gatherings with friends, family drama, and artistic aspirations.
- 🏡 Suburban town
- 🏖️ Summer vibe
What Are the Themes of Griffin in Summer?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Art and Ambition, Love and Rejection and Friendship and Forgiveness.
-
01
Art and Ambition
Griffin uses Regrets of Autumn to channel his creative voice and seek validation. The summer becomes a testing ground where artistic drive collides with real-life relationships. The story shows the risks of prioritizing art over care, while also highlighting growth as Griffin learns to repair bonds and pursue his craft more responsibly.
-
02
Love and Rejection
Griffin's crush on Brad drives jealousy and manipulation, culminating in the Glenn Bening email. Brad's heartbreak and his decision to try again in NYC reveal how unreciprocated affection can reshape lives. The arc probes the pain of unbalanced desires and the boundaries that should guide friendships and romance.
-
03
Friendship and Forgiveness
The ensemble navigates conflict, accountability, and reconciliation as Griffin's behavior tests the group's trust. Apologies are exchanged and the cast rebuilds its cohesion, culminating in a collaborative final performance. The story uses this collective healing to celebrate artistic collaboration and shared growth.
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 heartfelt and awkwardly nostalgic coming-of-age story that balances the melancholy of first heartbreak with the hopeful warmth of artistic passion and enduring friendship.
- nostalgic
- awkward
- heartfelt
- melancholic
- hopeful
- reflective
- coming of age
- unrequited love
- first crush
- artistic ambition
Quiz
How well do you remember Griffin in Summer? Test yourself on the story.
