I Hate Summer
Three families end up in the same rented house. Throughout the summer, they become friends and rediscover how to enjoy life.
The film earned $7.5M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
I Hate Summer (2020) reveals strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Massimo Venier's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 45 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Three separate families pack and prepare for their summer vacations, each in their own world, disconnected from each other and dealing with their own personal tensions.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when All three families arrive at the same villa simultaneously and discover they've all been booked for the same property. Chaos and arguments ensue as they realize the vacation rental scam.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to The three families make the active choice to stay together and share the villa, establishing house rules and dividing spaces. They commit to making the best of an impossible situation., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat A celebration or successful group activity where all three families come together harmoniously. They realize they're actually enjoying this arrangement, but underlying tensions begin to surface., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, A major blow-up where everything falls apart. Families turn on each other, hurtful truths are spoken, and the dream of a perfect vacation dies. Someone decides to leave., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 84 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. A realization or event that helps the families see what really matters. They understand that their forced togetherness revealed important truths they needed to face about themselves., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
I Hate Summer's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping I Hate Summer against these established plot points, we can identify how Massimo Venier utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish I Hate Summer within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Three separate families pack and prepare for their summer vacations, each in their own world, disconnected from each other and dealing with their own personal tensions.
Theme
A character mentions that summer vacation reveals who people really are - when you're stuck together, you can't hide your true self.
Worldbuilding
Introduction of the three families, their dynamics, and individual problems. Each family books what they think is their exclusive vacation rental in Sardinia, unaware of the booking error.
Disruption
All three families arrive at the same villa simultaneously and discover they've all been booked for the same property. Chaos and arguments ensue as they realize the vacation rental scam.
Resistance
The families debate whether to leave or stay. They discover there are no other accommodations available in Sardinia during peak season. They reluctantly consider sharing the villa.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The three families make the active choice to stay together and share the villa, establishing house rules and dividing spaces. They commit to making the best of an impossible situation.
Mirror World
The families begin interacting socially, and unexpected friendships form across family lines. Children bond, and adults discover common ground, creating a new makeshift community.
Premise
The comedy of shared vacation life unfolds: bathroom schedules, meal preparations, beach outings together, and the fun chaos of three families under one roof learning to coexist.
Midpoint
A celebration or successful group activity where all three families come together harmoniously. They realize they're actually enjoying this arrangement, but underlying tensions begin to surface.
Opposition
Old family tensions resurface, amplified by proximity. Secrets are revealed, conflicts between families escalate, and the initial harmony breaks down. Personal issues can no longer be avoided.
Collapse
A major blow-up where everything falls apart. Families turn on each other, hurtful truths are spoken, and the dream of a perfect vacation dies. Someone decides to leave.
Crisis
Families retreat to their separate corners of the villa in silence and anger. Each group reflects on what went wrong and what they've learned about themselves through the others.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
A realization or event that helps the families see what really matters. They understand that their forced togetherness revealed important truths they needed to face about themselves.
Synthesis
Families reconcile and come together one final time. They apply what they've learned, make amends, and share a proper farewell. The vacation ends with genuine connections formed.
Transformation
The families part ways, transformed by their shared experience. A closing image shows them staying in touch or meeting again, their lives enriched by the connections they made.