The Summer Book

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1:45

The Summer Book

2025

1h 30m

Drama

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80%

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61 Reviews

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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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Donald Clarke

Irish Times

Aug 24, 2026

3/5

Old-fashioned in a good way. Here is a film for a mainstream audience – a senior audience in particular – that gives itself space to stretch out in loose and unhurried fashion.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Aug 10, 2026

The gentle marvel of Charlie McDowell’s quiet adaptation is just how much of the novel’s restraint is present in the movie.

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Larushka Ivan-Zadeh

The Times (UK)

Aug 7, 2026

4/5

Surrender to its flow, though, and you’ll be rewarded. Like a welcome dip in a clear, cold lake, this cinematic “cool-cation” left me cleansed, revived and blissfully peaceful.

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Victoria Luxford

Clash Magazine

Aug 18, 2026

6/10

Slight but enjoyable, The Summer Book is an expedition that wins you over with its beauty.

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Tori Brazier

Metro

Aug 12, 2026

2/5

The Summer Book proves that not every novel should receive the big screen adaptation treatment... Sometimes a mood-heavy book with a light touch is better off being left as just that, rather than a paper-thin interpretation stretched over 95 minutes.

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Jenny McCartney

Sunday Times (UK)

Aug 11, 2026

3/5

The Summer Book didn’t beguile me as much as it wanted to, or I hoped it would. But sometimes that’s just the way the island moss crumbles.

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Henry D

@Henry_Domke 6 days ago

Quiet, pleasant and rather bland. The seaside setting was immersive, and the film nicely conveyed the feeling of a summer simply passing by. But it is a minor movie, with little tension or real story, more an observation of passing time than a compelling drama.

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Kalissa H

@kali_416 Jul 5, 2026

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, 2026

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, 2026

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, 2025

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, 2025

I recommend TOVE, by Zaida Bergroth

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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

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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

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