Film Comment: Summer of Fear

Summer of Fear, the somewhat misleading title of this 1996 made for television movie, gives the viewer no idea of what is about to happen. When you think you know what is going on, you don’t. The story does not actually produce fear in the viewer but more of an anticipation of what is about to happen, since you soon realize that something is not quite right with Simon. People expecting “blood and guts” have called it “too tame to be a thriller.” Admittedly, this is not an Oscar winning film. It is more like a film one would expect from the Lifetime Movie Network. (The film should not be confused with the more intense 1978 Wes Craven film, also titled Summer of Fear. Both films are based on the novel, Simon Says.)

Echo Bridge Home Entertainment posted this plot synopsis on the Internet Movie Database (IMDB.com):  “When Lucas Marshall and his family are attacked en route to their summer vacation, a passing drifter comes to their rescue. But soon after being welcomed into their home, the stranger engages the family in a treacherous game of deceit and manipulation, forcing them to realize that his encounter with them was no accident.” The film features several television actors who were once quite ubiquitous on television but who now are seldom seen.

Lucas (Gregory Harrison), a city-living middle class businessman, inherits his aunt’s summer home in a small town. While he and his family are traveling to the home for a summer of relaxation and home remodeling, they are carjacked by two thugs. The men seriously damage Lucas’ foot and ankle and he watches helplessly as they sexually molest his wife.

The only thing which prevents the men from raping the wife (Glynnis O’Connor) is the arrival of Simon (Corin Nemec), a local teenager, who chases the men away with his shotgun. The shotgun turns out to actually be just a large walking stick. Simon is a very resourceful and talented young man.

Gratefully, the family invites Simon to the summer home for a day. Soon, Simon is using their boat, fixing the malfunctioning clothes dryer, cleaning the house’s gutters, wooing the the teenaged daughter, becoming a buddy to the young pre-teen son, and, eventually, successfully seducing the mother. Simon is clearly in charge, taking over the family from the loving but ineffectual father and husband.

This is a story of deceit, guilt, psychological horror, hints of incest, anger, resentment, adultery, and a very dark, long-hidden secret seeking a resolution. It is an example of how “the sins of the fathers” can come back to haunt the children for generations to come.

Lucas ends the dangerous situation non-violently by bravely telling the truth. In the effort, he finally wins the respect of his family. He also seems to have finally come to respect himself.

Though this movie presents itself as a horror film, it ultimately is a drama about a disturbed family. Very prominent themes are personal responsibility, the destructiveness of keeping “secrets,” the generational effects of hatred and revenge, and the redemption which can come from “clearing the air.”

Forgiveness

"Forgiveness is a strange thing.  It can sometimes be easier to forgive enemies than our friends.  It can be hardest of all to forgive people we love.  Like all of life's important coping skills, the ability to forgive and the capacity to let go of resentments most likely take root very early in our lives."  Fred Roger ("Mr. Rogers")

A Quote from Constantine (2006)

In the comic book based movie, Constantine (2006), the angel Gabriel is filled with resentment and is trying to "fix" things. He (?)/she (?)/it (?) (Tilda Swinton as an androgynous angel) thinks that mankind is unworthy of God's grace and is trying to bring about an apocalypse on Earth from which worthy, tested survivors will emerge. John Constantine, cancer victim, demon hunter, etc. goes to Hell and back (literally) to stop Gabriel's plan.

Gabriel explains,

"You're handed this precious gift and, right, each of you granted redemption from the Creator. Murderers, rapists and molesters, all of you, you just have to repent and God takes you into His bosom. In all the worlds, in all the universes, no other creature can make such a boast, save man. It's not fair! Your sweet, sweet God loves you so."

Feelings of Guilt That Won't Go Away

Christians should not live with a permanent sense of guilt. We are forgiven and God sees Jesus when he looks at us. We are also not yet perfected so we will knowingly or unknowingly continue to commit sins. Transitory feelings of guilt may be the Holy Spirit prodding us to alarm us that we are separating ourselves from God. He is calling us to remind us that though we are saved and will not be lost, we need to return to the working out of our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12; Hebrews 4:16). We are not saved by the working out but are participating with the Holy Spirit in our growing sanctification.

A permanent sense of guilt is another thing entirely and may have several causes, three of which will be discussed here: 

1. We may be consciously or unconsciously holding onto the belief that we must somehow earn our salvation, suspecting or knowing all the while that we are not good or holy enough. NO ONE IS GOOD OR HOLY ENOUGH! (Ephesians 2:8-9)

 At the moment of your salvation, God saw you as holy and He sees you as holy now. He still expects you to allow the Holy Spirit to conform you to him, to sanctification.

2. Satan is the Accuser (Revelation 12:10), daily making accusations to God against us. A persistent feeling of guilt may be Satan pulling a trick on you, immobilizing you; in football terms, "taking you out of the game." Do not allow him to do this. Romans 8:1; John 8:36.

3. The guilt that a Christian is feeling may be caused by the fact that he or she has not confessed their real sin. They may not even realize what their real sin is. Compulsive behaviors such as pathological eating, gambling, attraction to pornography, temper tantrums, etc. may plague Christians who over and over find themselves helplessly returning to the hated behavior. Though they confess their sin and ask God for "strength," they fail. The real sin may be underlying anger or resentment which is so frightening that it is directed into other, less fearsome directions. Rest assured that the Holy Spirit knows the real sin and will reveal it to the believer who truly listens.