Cruel Summer: Season 2 | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

64% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 59% Audience Score 50+ Ratings In this anthology series, each season follows a new cast of characters who deal with traumatic events over several timelines, and how those events impact their lives. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

Cruel Summer — Season 2

Fandango at Home Prime Video Hulu

Watch Cruel Summer — Season 2 with a subscription on Hulu, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

Cruel Summer — Season 2

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Cruel Summer's sophom*ore outing may lack the same bite that made its inaugural season such a pleasure, but the format's sturdy construction still makes for the television equivalent of a bingeable beach read.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (11) Critics Reviews
Cruel Summer: Season 2 | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Joshua Alston Variety After a two-year wait between seasons, Season 2 doesn’t feel substantive enough to have faith in the show’s longevity. Jun 6, 2023 Full Review Cruel Summer: Season 2 | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Christina Izzo AV Club It’s an easy, breezy—and often cheesy—volume to speedily thumb through and subsequently forget by season’s end. Rated: C Jun 5, 2023 Full Review Cruel Summer: Season 2 | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Steven Nguyen Scaife Slant Magazine Thrilling and cheesy in equal measure, the series breezes toward its finish as a particularly well-oiled drama. Rated: 3/4 Jun 2, 2023 Full Review Cruel Summer: Season 2 | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Joey Rambles Cultured Vultures Cruel Summer's second season fails to give viewers a gripping mystery or a murder victim worth caring about, and the characteristics that made the first season so addictive now feel restrictive and unnecessary. Rated: 4/10 Aug 6, 2023 Full Review Cruel Summer: Season 2 | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Tim Stevens The Spool [T]his season is better and more logically plotted, but also significantly less likely to leave a viewer’s head spinning. Jun 14, 2023 Full Review Cruel Summer: Season 2 | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Lindsay Press Culturess Cruel Summer keeps a similar theme of mystery and uncertainty from season one alive, even though the characters and circ*mstances are different. Jun 9, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (40) audience reviews

Sunday Night Streaming o Cruel Summer Season 2 - 5.1 - So this was quite an interesting ride, but I must admit, it didn't quite live up to the first season's level of excitement. One of my biggest gripes was with the cast this time around, especially Luke, who I couldn't really see in this role because I kept picturing him from his previous show, Locke and Key. That aside, the season did keep me hooked until the finale, which had a dark and cruel ending that stayed true to its title. I have to hand it to the show for keeping us guessing about Isabella's true nature. They hinted at her being manipulative and crazy, but it wasn't until that fateful night at the cabin that her dark side was fully revealed.The events leading up to Luke's death seemed like a team effort, but ultimately, Isabella was the one who committed the act. The finale was a lot more intense and gruesome than I expected, and it was a much-needed twist that added some spice to the season and left me on the edge of my seat. However, I couldn't help but notice a glaring plot hole. How could they miss a camera facing the water and dock, especially when Luke's body was found there? It feels like that would have been one of the first places they should have checked.One thing I really appreciated about the show was its unique directing style. The use of different timelines and auras made it easy to follow the story, even when it jumped between three different periods.Many shows struggle with this, but "Cruel Summer" handled it quite well. While Season 2 didn't quite hit the mark for me, I still enjoyed it and would probably tune in for a third round, mostly because I loved the first season so much. Official sundaynightstreaming rating of 5.1 Rated 2.5/5 Stars • Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/06/24 Full Review Keyi Y Immersive and worth a shot. The story line and suspense is commendable, the only issue with the season being some of the character arcs (Megan's mainly. It's a bit unbelievable) The acting was on point, especially Underwood's character. The final scene creates unnecessary plot holes but all in all, I prefer the ending of this to season 1's (which I rated 5 stars) . Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/20/23 Full Review Carmen S I am one of apparently few people who actually preferred the story in season 2 in comparison to season 1, however.. The attempts to confuse the audience just amounted to each character having no consistency. Each of them had an entirely different personality every other episode.SPOILERS And having a last minute twist ending is not at all satisfying when it's identical to the previous seasons. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/06/23 Full Review Good F Drab, boring, and uninteresting.The show was badly cast. No one, not one character can hold a scene on their own. There's just not enough mystery and not enough character building to make you pay attention, let alone care.The first season was so fascinating that it was impossible to match how good it was, but season 2 is WOEFULLY bad. Rated 0.5/5 Stars • Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 11/13/23 Full Review jenna t I love the twists and turns of this show. You never know where it's going Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/04/23 Full Review Joshua C While it does fail to capture the intrigue of season one, and starts off tamely, Cruel Summer's second season is manages to pick itself up and deliver a fairly interesting mystery. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/06/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Cruel Summer — Season 2

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Bert V. Royal Creator Sadie Stanley Megan Landry Lexi Underwood Isabella LaRue Griffin Gluck Luke Chambers Lisa Yamada Parker Tanaka Kadee Strickland Debbie Landry
Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jun 5, 2023 Welcome to Chatham In the summer of 1999, small-town computer genius Megan resents the arrival of outgoing and mysterious foreign exchange student Isabella; little does she know how her life will change by the summer of 2000. Details Episode 2 Aired Jun 5, 2023 Ride or Die In Summer 1999, Isabella grows closer to Luke while struggling to connect with Megan; in Winter 1999, Isabella searches for justice following the disastrous Christmas party. Details Episode 3 Aired Jun 12, 2023 Bloody Knuckles In Summer 1999, Megan and Isabella bond during an overnight at the Chambers' cabin; Luke tries to stand up to Brent, but ends up causing more problems for his dad; suspicions are raised after fingerprints are found on the gun that shot Luke. Details Episode 4 Aired Jun 19, 2023 Springing a Leak In summer 1999, Megan wants to be adventurous and makes fake IDs for the gang; in winter 1999, a burst pipe leads the Landrys and Isabella to a messy night at the Chambers house; Isabella wishes to help but is met with resistance from Megan. Details Episode 5 Aired Jun 26, 2023 All I Want for Christmas In summer 1999, Isabella is rocked by a surprise visit from her past; in winter 1999, Isabella's concerns for Megan lead her to some surprising news; in summer 2000, family loyalties are tested. Details Episode 6 Aired Jul 3, 2023 The Plunge In summer 1999, sparks fly at Luke's birthday party; in winter 1999, relationships are tested as Megan becomes more distant from Luke; in summer 2000, Megan obsesses over an interesting letter she received. Details Episode 7 Aired Jul 10, 2023 It's the End of the World In winter 1999, tensions are high on Y2K; at the New Year's Eve party, a not-so-secret conversation changes the lives of the trio forever; in summer 2000, suspicion falls on Ned after some new evidence from summer 1999 comes to light. Details Episode 8 Aired Jul 17, 2023 Confess Your Sins In summer 1999, new friendships are formed, and secrets are kept as the crew approaches senior year at the annual school car wash; in winter 1999, Megan and Isabella push for answers; in summer 2000, Debbie wants to protect her daughter. Details Episode 9 Aired Jul 24, 2023 The Miseducation of Luke Chambers Luke examines all his relationships and worries that the pressures of being a "Chambers man" have changed him. Details Episode 10 Aired Jul 31, 2023 Endgame As timelines collide, friendships implode, new evidence emerges and the shocking truth is revealed in more ways than one. Details

More Like This

View All Popular TV on Streaming

% 69% Good Trouble TRAILER for Good Trouble 89% 82% The Bold Type TRAILER for The Bold Type 42% 74% Beyond 63% 69% Dead of Summer 60% 70% Famous in Love TRAILER for Famous in Love Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Videos

View All videos

Cruel Summer — Season 2

Cruel Summer: Season 2 Trailer Cruel Summer: Season 2 Trailer 2:14 View more videos

Photos

View All Cruel Summer — Season 2 photos

Cruel Summer — Season 2

Cruel Summer Cruel Summer Cruel Summer View more photos

Season Info

Director
Laura Nisbet Peters, Ben Hernandez Bray, Bill Purple

Creator
Bert V. Royal

Executive Producer
Jessica Biel, Tia Napolitano, Michelle Purple, Bert V. Royal, Max Winkler, Bill Purple, Elle Triedman

Screenwriter
Heather Thomason, Jason Sack, Diana Glogau, Elle Triedman, Matt Morgan

Network
Freeform

Rating
TV-14

Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Drama

Original Language
English

Release Date
Jun 5, 2023
Cruel Summer: Season 2 | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Kimberely Baumbach CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 5805

Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kimberely Baumbach CPA

Birthday: 1996-01-14

Address: 8381 Boyce Course, Imeldachester, ND 74681

Phone: +3571286597580

Job: Product Banking Analyst

Hobby: Cosplaying, Inline skating, Amateur radio, Baton twirling, Mountaineering, Flying, Archery

Introduction: My name is Kimberely Baumbach CPA, I am a gorgeous, bright, charming, encouraging, zealous, lively, good person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.