Pools

Play trailer

Pools

2025

1h 39m

Drama

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

84%

Tomatometer

25 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Kennedy has one day to get her shit together or get kicked out of school for good. Instead of buckling down, she rallies a ragtag crew for a midnight pool-hopping adventure through the lavish estates of her college town. But under the surface, Kennedy is searching for answers to the questions tearing her up inside in the wake of her father's death. As the secrets spill, this wild escape becomes a cathartic journey of self-discovery.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Robert Daniels

RogerEbert.com

Aug 22

3/4

Vibrant, silly, and unwaveringly vulnerable, ‘Pools' is an invigorating party movie whose non-stop reverie uplifts its protagonist’s downcast spirit.

Go to Full Review

Brandon Yu

New York Times

Aug 21

Rather than considering where or if there’s a heart to this specific film, Hayes seems more preoccupied with capturing the vague vibe of a certain kind of indie teen movie, one in which life gets real, but there’s nothing like being young, wild and free.

Go to Full Review

Romey Norton

InSession Film

5d

B

Pools is a deep and reflective take on the coming-of-age genre. It’s thoughtful, beautifully shot, emotionally honest, and anchored by another impressive performance from Odessa A’zion.

Go to Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

6d

4/5

…a thoughtful empathetic film brings all the precious angst back, and writer/director Sam Hayes makes an auspicious debut with Pools, a slick, enjoyable teen movie in the classic tradition...

Go to Full Review

Dionar Hidalgo

Algo Más Que Cine

Jul 4

7/10

Odessa A'zion anchors this heartfelt coming-of-age drama with a compelling performance. Though its second half stumbles, Sam Hayes balances youthful chaos, humor and grief to deliver an emotionally satisfying journey of self-discovery.

Go to Full Review

Kat Hughes

THN

Jun 30

4/5

Led by a quietly captivating Odessa A’zion and bolstered by an ensemble that refuses to settle for cliché, Pools is as funny as it is emotionally resonant.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Norm V

Sep 10

Can be a real story but the scenes are not too real.

See more

Mr. Hollywood

Sep 10

Nothing special here but while watching it I didnt mind it. After the movie you wont remember much as there wasnt much there. Reminded me of the movie The Swimmer with Burt Lancaster, because it takes place in one day mostly and in the summer with different pools (that was a way better movie though, check it out).

See more

Steve

Aug 30

A beautiful, hilarious, and heartfelt ode to the summers of our youth.

See more

Jerod S

@jeroduptown May 13

Frustrating dumb college girl can’t bring herself to reenter life after her dad dies. So she’s jumping in people’s pools and unable to leave because she’s so angsty.

See more

Joanne B

@RT82152233 Mar 17

I was embarrassed for this movie, it was so bad.

See more

Vincent S

@Vin_E_At_The_Movies Jan 20

Odessa A'zion gives a great, kinetic performance but this "Class" like college drama lets her down. It is too messy, unfocused and dull and doesn't match A'zion's outstanding performance.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Sam Hayes

Director

Mason Gooding

Reed

Michael Vlamis

Michael

Tyler Alvarez

Blake

Francesca Noel

Shane

Odessa A'zion

Kennedy

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

99%

94%

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

If That Mockingbird Don't Sing

%

%

If That Mockingbird Don't Sing

Watchlist

My Dead Friend Zoe

94%

95%

My Dead Friend Zoe

Watchlist

TRAILER

for My Dead Friend Zoe

June Again

100%

89%

June Again

Watchlist

TRAILER

for June Again

The Friend

84%

80%

The Friend

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Friend

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Kennedy has one day to get her shit together or get kicked out of school for good. Instead of buckling down, she rallies a ragtag crew for a midnight pool-hopping adventure through the lavish estates of her college town. But under the surface, Kennedy is searching for answers to the questions tearing her up inside in the wake of her father's death. As the secrets spill, this wild escape becomes a cathartic journey of self-discovery.

Director: Sam Hayes
Producer: Sam Hayes, Jack Heston, Seth Savoy, Adonis Tountas, Mike D. Ware
Screenwriter: Sam Hayes
Distributor: Circle Collective
Production Co: Chicago Media Angels, Paesanos Pictures
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 29, 2025, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $53.5K
Runtime: 1h 39m