Movie Review: CAMP

By ABBIE BERNSTEIN / Staff Writer

Posted: June 26th, 2026 / 08:02 PM

CAMP movie poster | ©2026 Dark Sky Films

Rating: Not Rated
Stars: Zola Grimmer, Alice Wordsworth, Cherry Moore, Lea Rose Sebastianis, Ella Reece, Austyn Van de Kamp, Michael Tan, Izza Jarvis
Writer: Avalon Fast
Director: Avalon Fast
Distributor: Dark Sky Films
Release Date: June 26, 2026

One might think that a movie called CAMP has a double entendre title. One would, in that case, be mistaken. Although CAMP is set at one of those establishments where, for a summer, young counselors tend to younger campers, it is not arch or particularly funny. Also, while there are possibly ominous, perhaps supernatural goings-on, it is not a slasher.

So, what exactly is CAMP? That’s a good question.

Written and directed by Avalon Fast, CAMP begins with grainy black-and-white footage that shifts to grainy color during the opening credits. The movie is overall beautifully shot by cinematographer Elly Sprungman, so this initial ruminative look (like so much else here) is clearly deliberate.

We then see a naked woman in the woods, followed by what appears to be a glowing angel on a television, except that the image spills over past the bottom of the screen.

Emily (Zola Grimmer) was a troubled teen who has become an even more troubled adult. Her young life, already impacted by one tragedy, is completely upended by the death of her best friend.

With Emily practically comatose and unwilling to leave her room, Emily’s dad (Michael Tan) proposes that she become a counselor at a camp for troubled teens. Many of the other counselors have gone through experiences that are comparable to Emily’s trauma.

The sign for the camp just says “CAMP.” It’s a long walk from the train station to the sign and another hike to the buildings. Once there, Emily checks in with upbeat head counselor Dan (Austyn Van de Kamp) and second-year counselor Jo (Sophia Bawks-Smith).

There is a lot of Christian imagery around, and Ellie worries over the phone to her dad that it’s a church camp. He tells her he’s sure she can find other nonbelievers.

It’s unclear if Ellie encounters any actually nonbelievers, at least among her new young women friends, who have strong beliefs, just not in Jesus. (The Christian artwork belongs to Dan.)

Emily is sent to room with the exceptionally cheerful Rosie (Cherry Moore) in Cabin 18. The cabin may have bad vibes. The rest of their group includes leader Clara (Alice Wordsworth), Nev (Lea Rose Sebastianis), and Hope (Ella Reece).

Emily is immediately accepted into the clique. They love to party. They also do pagan rituals that they believe are magical, putting out into the universe what they wish to manifest.

Emily reaches out to an especially unhappy camper, Eden (Izzie Jarvis), identifying with the younger girl’s alienation. At the same time, Clara makes clear her attraction to Emily.

Meanwhile, Emily has unsettling visions and dreams.

At one hour and fifteen minutes in, Emily voices concerns. “There’s something evil here, isn’t there?”

Possibly. Or maybe everybody is just trying to make life more exciting, away from all practical supervision.

It’s hard to know what to make of CAMP. It is well-acted, and a lot of it is realistic in terms of the kinds of interactions and bonds that young people naturally have in this type of environment. The acting is persuasive and unforced across the board.

But what are we to make of the supposed witchcraft? Is it real, or are Clara and Company just playing mean psychological pranks on their peers?

CAMP walks between naturalism and surrealism in ways that encourage the viewer to read into it what they will. (The ending, if taken literally, is jarringly homophobic.) This reviewer, who would prefer more clarity and more drive from a narrative, is therefore probably not the best judge of this style of storytelling.

CAMP looks great and has insight into what can provide urgency to some twenty-somethings. As to whether it’s fulfilling or not, ask someone more in tune with its ethos or form your own opinion.

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A diffuse quasi-fantasy about bonding and possible witchcraft at summer camp

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