Summer’s Blood

Summer’s Blood

Year: 2009

Runtime: 91 mins

Language: English

Director: Lee Demarbre

ThrillerHorrorIntense violence and sexual transgressionTwisted dark psychological thrillerGory gruesome and slasher horror

In this house, within these walls, one family has a deadly secret. A demented handyman comes to the rescue of a young woman, then imprisons her in his basement.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Summer’s Blood yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Summer’s Blood (2009)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Summer’s Blood (2009). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Present day

The events unfold in contemporary times in a rural setting, with everyday locations like a gas station, bar, and a family home featured. The technology and social dynamics reflect a recent era, emphasizing a gritty, realist thriller vibe. The story centers on survival, manipulation, and the dark underbelly of family ties.

Location

Massey, Hoxey Residence

Massey is a small, isolated town where secrets simmer beneath a calm surface. The Hoxey residence stands as a fortress-like home with bolts on the windows, signaling strict control. The basement garden becomes a disturbing stage where captives are kept and manipulated.

🏘️ Small town 🕳️ Confinement 🧭 Mystery

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:32

Main Characters – Summer’s Blood (2009)

Meet the key characters of Summer’s Blood (2009), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Summer Matthews (Ashley Greene)

A self-reliant hitchhiker who uses wit and weaponry to navigate danger. She’s capable, quick-thinking, and unafraid to challenge men who attempt to control her, making her a resilient focal point amid escalating threats.

💥 Resourceful 🕶️ Calm under pressure 🧭 Determined

Gant Hoxey (Stephen McHattie)

A patriarch whose charm masks a violent, controlling nature. He treats family and dominance as a game of power, ready to kill to preserve his imagined order.

⚔️ Dominant 🧩 Calculating 🩺 Ruthless

Amber (Dani Kind)

A frail, captive girl kept in the basement, barely surviving on limited sun and water. Her presence underscores the depravity of Tom’s garden and the victims who endure his family’s cruelty.

🌑 Victim 🫁 Fragile 🕯️ Resilient

Tom Hoxey (Peter Mooney)

A composed but dangerous handyman who uses charm to lure women, then weaponizes a ‘garden’ mindset to imprison and manipulate his captives. His visions of belonging are intertwined with violent control.

🪝 Manipulative 🧭 Calculated 🗡️ Violent

Darwin (Peter Michael Dillon)

Amber’s worried father and a vigilant neighbor who probes for his daughter’s whereabouts. He embodies persistence and a father’s desperation that clashes with local apathy.

💼 Caring 🕵️ Persistent 🚨 Protective

Gaia Hoxey (Barbara Niven)

Tom’s mother, who enforces the basement confinement with fear and complicity. Her fragile control masks a bond of dependence and fear.

🫂 Complicit 🧊 Cold 😶 Manipulated

Twila (Teri Loretto)

Summer’s mother, whose deception about a miscarriage and distant relationship drives Summer to seek her father. The truth about Twila governs her daughter's hopes and heartbreak.

👩‍👧‍👦 Family lies 🗝️ Hidden past 🧪 Emotional complexity

Jessie (Cinthia Burke)

The auto shop worker who witnesses Tom’s manipulation and becomes a threat to Tom’s control. She is captured, then fights for survival in a tense confrontation.

🗡️ Threat 🛡️ Survivor 🕳️ Witness

Szeryf (Paul Whitney)

The local sheriff who is perceptive but overwhelmed by a string of troubling events. His attitude and actions reflect the town’s cynicism and limits.

👮‍♂️ Authority 💤 Indifferent 🧭 Watchful

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:32

Major Themes – Summer’s Blood (2009)

Explore the central themes of Summer’s Blood (2009), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗝️ Power & Control

The Hoxey family uses fear, coercion, and surveillance to dominate others. Tom and Gaia enforce strict control over the basement captives, while Gant asserts patriarchal authority. Summer and Amber become pawns in a deadly dynamic where control is equated with family loyalty.

🎭 Deceit & Manipulation

Characters repeatedly mask their intentions: Tom professes care while keeping captives, Summer schemes manipulation to survive, and Gant hides his lethal nature behind a veneer of family values. Amber’s fate is shaped by others’ calculated moves rather than direct threats alone. The plot unfolds through a web of lies and calculated moves.

🩸 Violence & Survival

The story moves through brutal acts: imprisonments, murders, and sudden bursts of rage. Summer must navigate physical danger and psychological coercion to stay alive. Amber’s death marks a chilling turning point that heightens the stakes for everyone involved. The violence reveals the fragility of human life in a cruel environment.

👪 Family & Legacy

The narrative skewers the idea of family as a source of safety, showing how blood ties become weapons. Gant’s return to claim Summer exposes a twisted notion of lineage, while Tom’s desire to rewrite his family’s future demonstrates how legacy can corrupt love. Summer’s search for her father collides with a brutal, self-serving clan, culminating in a chilling end.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:32

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Summer’s Blood

Don't stop at just watching — explore Summer’s Blood in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Summer’s Blood is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Summer’s Blood Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Summer’s Blood, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Summer’s Blood Summary

Summer’s Blood Timeline

Track the full timeline of Summer’s Blood with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Summer’s Blood Timeline

Summer’s Blood Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Summer’s Blood that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Summer’s Blood Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Summer’s Blood

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Summer’s Blood: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Summer’s Blood

Similar Movies to Summer’s Blood

Discover movies like Summer’s Blood that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.