The Summer Book

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1:45

The Summer Book

2025

1h 30m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

81%

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42 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.

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Critics Consensus

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Kenneth R. Morefield

1More Film Blog

Mar 4

2/4

I think it is being overpraised.

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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.

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Filipe Freitas

Always Good Movies

Nov 13

2/5

Slight at its core, The Summer Book remains stubbornly stalled between sincere intentions and a weary torpor.

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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.

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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.

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Joan K

@RT74047805 Mar 7

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

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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.

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Marit Risto F

@MaritRisto Nov 9

I recommend TOVE, by Zaida Bergroth

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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.

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Charlie McDowell

Director

Glenn Close

Grandmother

Anders Danielsen Lie

Father

Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson

Eriksson

Pekka Strang

Mr. Malander

Sophia Heikkilä

Mrs. Malander

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The Summer Book: Trailer 1

1:45

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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