Hot Year: Kathryn Newton, Storm Reid & Dove Cameron to star in coming-of-age revenge thriller
Another genre-blending thriller is on the way, and this one has already secured a strong young cast. Kathryn Newton, Storm Reid, and Dove Cameron are set to star in Hot Year, a coming-of-age revenge thriller that will mark the feature directorial debut of writer-director Roxy Sophie Sorkin. Deadline lets us know that the film follows two childhood friends whose relationship spirals after a revenge plan turns violent.
What is Hot Year about?
Here’s the official synopsis: Set against the eerie backdrop of a small Pacific Northwest town during a relentless heatwave, Hot Year follows two childhood best friends whose bond is pushed to the brink after a revenge plan against an ex-boyfriend spirals into a violent incident they can’t take back. Over the course of one feverish night, the pair must navigate the consequences of their actions as buried trauma, loyalty and identity collide.
Cast and creative team
Roxy Sophie Sorkin, daughter of Oscar and multi-Emmy winner Aaron Sorkin, makes her feature directing debut after directing short films that screened at Sundance, Tribeca, and Beyond Fest.
As mentioned, the film brings together a trio of actresses who have all been steadily building momentum:
Kathryn Newton (Freaky, Abigail) has become a familiar face in genre projects, particularly horror-comedy and thrillers. She can currently be seen starring opposite Samara Weaving in Ready or Not 2.
Storm Reid (Euphoria, Missing) continues to balance prestige TV with high-concept suspense roles. Horror fans know her from The Last of Us, The Invisible Man, and The Nun II.
Dove Cameron (Descendants, Schmigadoon!) has been expanding into darker, more mature material in recent years. Example: the recent Prime Video series 56 Days.
J. Smith-Cameron (Rectify) and Owen Painter (Wednesday) are also in the cast.
Wagner Entertainment’s Jordan Wagner and Killer Films’ Christine Vachon are producing Hot Year with Evan Silverberg and Dylan Conklin for Entertainment 360 and Ilya Stewart for Hype Studios. Ryan Hamilton will executive produce for Wagner Entertainment, with Amanda Larney serving as co-producer and George Bicknell as associate producer. Newton is also an executive producer, as are Aleksandr Fomin of Hype Studios and Pavel Burian of Mosaic Films. Talia Bella and Randy Wayne of Rebellium Films are co-producers and are handling production services in Oklahoma.
Filming is expected to begin in Oklahoma in May.
Quick facts
Movie: Hot Year
Genre: Coming-of-age revenge thriller
Director: Roxy Sophie Sorkin
Cast: Kathryn Newton, Storm Reid, Dove Cameron, J. Smith-Cameron, Owen Painter
Production start: May 2026
Filming location: Oklahoma
Setting: Pacific Northwest during a heatwave
What has been said about Hot Year?
Sorkin provided the following statement: “Hot Year is an exploration into brutal honesty and boiling, seething, grotesque womanhood. It’s a movie I wish I had held dear when I was 18. It’s a forehead kiss and a spit in the face. Be prepared to wear fairy wings and bring Fireball.“
Wagner added, “Roxy has a really distinct and exciting voice as a filmmaker. It’s a bold script, emotional, but also fun and unpredictable in a way that feels fresh. Hot Year taps into something very real about friendship and identity at that age, and I think audiences are going to really connect with it. We couldn’t have asked for a better cast to bring this to life, and I’m really looking forward to seeing Roxy bring this world to the screen alongside an incredible group of artists.“
Vachon said, “Roxy is exactly the kind of filmmaker we’re always drawn to. She has a real point of view and isn’t afraid to take risks with tone or character. Hot Year lives in a space that feels both specific and unsettling, which is very exciting to us. We had such a great experience working with Jordan and Wagner Entertainment on Pretty Babies, and I look forward to continuing that collaboration on Hot Year.“
With a cast like this and a premise built around friendship, revenge, and consequences, Hot Year has the ingredients in place to become a breakout indie thriller. It’s still early days, but this is definitely a project to keep on the radar as production gets underway.
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