The Summer Book

Play trailer

1:45

The Summer Book

2025

1h 30m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

43 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

At her family's home on a Finnish island, young Sophia explores the natural world with her father and grandmother (Glenn Close). Adapted from Tove Jansson's beloved novel, The Summer Book is a delicate account of growing up and growing old.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Enlivened by a characteristically graceful performance by Glenn Close, The Summer Book is a poignant exploration of life's beginnings and endings.

Read Critics Reviews

Claudia Puig

FilmWeek (LAist)

Dec 31

Glenn Close is wonderful in it. Besides her performance, the main it has going for it is this evocative sense of place.

Go to Full Review

Ty Burr

Ty Burr's Watch List (Substack)

Nov 4

3/4

The Summer Book, both book and film, expands Jansson’s theme park back to childhood and forward to old age, fills it with summer light and sunset and the beautiful silence of God, and says you can’t grab it, but you must. But you can’t. But you must.

Go to Full Review

Flora Belle Farr

Austin Chronicle

Sep 25

Directing his fourth feature film, Charlie McDowell (The One I Love) draws a layered performance from young Matthews in her film debut.

Go to Full Review

Scott Wilson

Loud and Clear Reviews

8h

3/5

There is grace and poetry in The Summer Book’s attempt at telling a story all about what is not being said, and it occasionally gives and withholds just enough to share in this family’s avoidance of a life-changing loss.

Go to Full Review

Kenneth R. Morefield

1More Film Blog

Mar 4

2/4

I think it is being overpraised.

Go to Full Review

Benjamin Franz

Film Threat

Dec 18

8/10

The Summer Book is a wholesome meditation on the life cycle. If you’re in the market for a film with low stakes that isn’t going to throw you on an emotional roller coaster, this is the film for you.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Kalissa H

@kali_416 Jul 5

The 16 mm was cool and the scenery was beautiful. It’s a calm and peaceful movie, but I found myself ready for it to be over.

See more

Priscilla Z

@PriscillaSupreme Jun 9

Just one of those pics that is an engaging slice of life. beautiful scenery, gentle characters . Lovely and soothing. If you want actions or a jump scare or some unspeakable tragedy...look elsewhere. This is just like stepping into someone else's life for a few hours.

See more

Joan K

@RT74047805 Mar 7

If you’re looking for a very quiet, gentle Movie, you’ve found it. I loved it.

See more

Nik S

@RT07217747 Nov 27

I enjoyed the performances and cinematography. The story was captivating, but I dubbed it One Morning in Maine meets Ingmar Bergman.

See more

Marit Risto F

@MaritRisto Nov 9

I recommend TOVE, by Zaida Bergroth

See more

Vince Q.

@Vincedeq Oct 29

Glenn Close stars in this coming of age/sunset story that asks us to believe that she is a centerpiece 90-year-old Finnish grandmother. Despite the distracting accent and clumsy prosthetics, Close does her part in an attempt to rescue this aimless piece, but ultimately can’t divert this film from heading toward the dust bin of cinematic history. I’m reminded of the solid multi-generational rapport of an On Golden Pond or a Princess Bride, where dialogue is an ally to reveal the love and support we all hope to leave after our passing. I feel that this film would have been more successful, definitely more genuine, with a Finnish cast.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Charlie McDowell

Director

Glenn Close

Grandmother

Anders Danielsen Lie

Father

Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson

Eriksson

Pekka Strang

Mr. Malander

Sophia Heikkilä

Mrs. Malander

Aftersun

95%

82%

Aftersun

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Aftersun

A/way

%

100%

A/way

Watchlist

You Burn Me

%

%

You Burn Me

Watchlist

Remarkably Bright Creatures

85%

90%

Remarkably Bright Creatures

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Remarkably Bright Creatures

Minari

98%

92%

Minari

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Minari

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The Summer Book: Trailer 1

1:45

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

At her family's home on a Finnish island, young Sophia explores the natural world with her father and grandmother (Glenn Close). Adapted from Tove Jansson's beloved novel, The Summer Book is a delicate account of growing up and growing old.

Director: Charlie McDowell
Producer: Aleksi Bardy, Kevin Loader, Charlie McDowell, Kath Mattock, Alex Orlovsky, Duncan Montgomery, Helen Vinogradov
Screenwriter: Tove Jansson, Robert Jones
Distributor: Music Box Films
Production Co: Helsinki Filmi Oy, Finnish Impact Film Fund, Case Study Films
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 19, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 21, 2025
Box Office (Gross USA): $53.9K
Runtime: 1h 30m