Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Hunter Hunter’s Summer H. Howell

To call Summer H. Howell a star on the rise would be an understatement. At just sixteen, she’s already led blockbuster films and shown off her versatility in projects including Curse of Chucky, Cult of Chucky, and Disney+’s Clouds.

Currently, she can be seen opposite Devon Sawa, Nick Stahl, and Camille Sullivan in the survival thriller Hunter Hunter.

Pop Culturalist caught up with Summer to chat about her role in Hunter Hunter, working with director Shawn Linden, and how the film is reminding viewers to be grateful for their loved ones and what they have.

PC: Tell us about Hunter Hunter and your character in the film.
Summer: Hunter Hunter is a survival thriller movie with horror aspects. It’s centered around a small family who lives in the woods. They survive off what they have and what they can trap and kill.

I play Renee. She’s a determined character who admires her dad. He teaches her everything he knows. Over the course of the film, she begins to appreciate her mom.

PC: What was it about this particular project and script that stood out to you?
Summer: It was the details in the script. Shawn [Linden] wrote a great script. He took the words from the page and brought them to life on the screen. I resonate with Renee a lot and how she gains confidence throughout the film.

PC: How did you, Devon [Sawa], and Camille [Sullivan] build the bond between your characters?
Summer: Camille is the nicest person I’ve ever met. Our relationship felt very natural. It felt natural having her as my mom on screen. Devon is such a professional. Devon and Camille are both from Canada, and that helped build our bond.

PC: You’ve done a few horror films already in your young career. What is it about this genre that excites you?
Summer: Horror tends to follow me around, and I’m here for it. There’s something about filming something so serious, but behind the scenes, we’re having so much fun and we’re all happy. There’s something about that that I love. I loved working with Shawn. He and I have the same humor.

I loved the whole Hunter Hunter experience. I loved the emotional scenes. I’m so excited for audiences to see the ending. It’s such a shocker. I wasn’t there when they filmed it, but I was shocked, and I knew what was going to happen!

PC: What do you hope audiences take away?
Summer: I think, especially now with COVID, family is so important. Also, trust your gut, be confident in yourself, and be thankful for what you have.

To keep up with Summer, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Hunter Hunter is available in select theaters, digital and On Demand.