Series Details & Credits
| Freeform | Release Date: April 20, 2021 |
Summary:
In 1993, popular teenager Kate (Olivia Holt) disappears from her small Texas town. Nerdy Jeanette (Chiara Aurelia) transforms into the new popular girl and by 1995, the prime suspect in this thriller created by Bert V. Royal and executive produced by Jessica Biel.
Genre(s):
Drama, Suspense
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Recent Episodes
- No episode information is currently available for this season
Positive:
14
Mixed:
6
Negative:
0
Apr 20, 2021
Season 1 Review:
Ultimately, where Cruel Summer will end up fitting in a teen drama-meets-psychological thriller landscape that includes everything from Pretty Little Liars to Élite will depend on how satisfyingly Kate and Jeanette’s story ends. For now, though, the show is playing on Expert Mode, and I can’t wait to see where it goes.
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Apr 13, 2021
The Guardian
Aug 6, 2021
Apr 20, 2021
Season 1 Review:
When it focuses on character and performances, Cruel Summer finds unexpected depth. It almost makes up for the slow-burn answers to the mystery of Kate’s kidnapping and what she might have experienced, whether or not Jeanette was involved, and how this entire puzzle is presented in an unnecessarily complex storytelling device.
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Apr 20, 2021
Season 1 Review:
While the show sets up a lot in its first episode — so much that later episodes almost feel devoid of action compared to it — it keeps you hooked, and Jeannette and Kate are strong enough as narrative foils to make it work. In fact, Cruel Summer works best when it focuses on them.
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i
Dec 3, 2021
Season 1 Review:
Even if it lacks the sophistication of Stranger Things or the bite of Euphoria, Cruel Summer does provide interesting observations about the ways young lives are warped by trauma, and is a story that, while it lasts – like those long hot summer months of our teenage pasts – feels suffocating, confusing, hysterically dramatic, and compulsive.
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May 4, 2021
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
Apr 21, 2021
This show was amazing! Olivia Holt give us everything!! Chiara gives too! This is the best TV Show of the year!!
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
May 9, 2021
okay so here we go there is something about this show that just gets me excited whether it be the thrill of knowing who did what or if its just plane fun but its absolutly one of the best shows of the decade i am so happy freeform has yet again won me over
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
May 14, 2021
I love Cruel summer every time I finsh a episode I want more episodes I love all the voice acting and the story is full of suspense and good drama I hope it gets a season 2
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
Jun 16, 2021
This is one of the best tv shows I have ever watched. I'm not joking. Olivia Holt and Chiara Aurelia deserves an Emmy.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
Aug 19, 2021
Excellent performance from the young actors and a great teen drama carefully orchestrated in 3 timelines. The story unfolds gradually and gives a satisfying buildup. Nice surprise!
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
Aug 25, 2023
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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Season 2
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Air Date: June 5, 2023
- No episode information is currently available for this season
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Season 1
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Season 1 Overview
Air Date: April 20, 2021
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Season 1 Overview