Pools 2025 Parents Guide

Writer-director Sam Hayes makes his feature debut with Pools, a film that dives into the messy, restless life of a wayward college student. Hayes isn’t exactly reinventing the wheel here; he follows the predictable chaos of a young woman wrestling with more than just the summer heat. The film’s protagonist seeks escape both literal and metaphorical from a stifling environment, and while the premise may recall The Breakfast Club’s explorations of group dynamics, Hayes injects a little extra life into the material with brisk pacing, clever camera work, and a sprinkling of broad humor. Pools isn’t earth-shattering, but it keeps the audience engaged in its characters’ emotional tangles and peculiar encounters, mostly thanks to Hayes’ ability to maintain momentum while capturing a sense of entrapment in Kennedy’s life.

Movie Review – Pools (2025)

Kennedy (Odessa A’Zion) is a student at Lake Forest University in Chicago, barely showing up for classes and stuck in summer school trying to repair her GPA. Her mother, Dean Lewis (Suzanne Cryer), struggles to keep her motivated, especially after the sudden death of Kennedy’s father. On an unbearably hot day, the campus air conditioning fails, leaving repairman Michael (Michael Vlamis) scrambling to fix the units while dealing with a demanding boss. Seeking relief, Kennedy hatches a plan to sneak into nearby suburban pools. She’s joined by dorm friend Blake (Tyler Alvarez), Delaney (Ariel Winter) and her roommate Shane (Francesca Noel), along with senior Reed (Mason Gooding), who generously provides alcohol. Their night of suburban trespassing begins with giddy energy at Dale’s (Raymond Fox) empty house, where the absence of the homeowner allows the students to party freely and eventually leads to more intimate, complicated interactions.

Kennedy is often described as “different.” Her quirky, unpredictable personality hints at something deeper, a complexity the screenplay only begins to fully explore in the final act. Dream sequences find her trapped underwater, calling out for her father, only to be yanked back into the unforgiving reality of summer school and looming academic failure. Hayes establishes a nervous, jittery tone early on, using rapid editing and erratic camera movement to mirror Kennedy’s anxiety and her desire to break free from her mother’s smothering care. The oppressive heat, which wreaks havoc on air conditioning systems, propels Michael from campus to Dale’s mansion, where his interactions including an encounter with Dale’s welcoming wife add a layer of comedic distraction.

Much of Pools revolves around Kennedy’s carefully plotted nighttime escapades. Armed with miniature liquor bottles and Reed’s athletic prowess, the group navigates neighborhood pools, often oblivious to whether homes are occupied predictably creating tension and comedic mishaps. Hayes peppers the evening with interpersonal drama: Delaney and Kennedy share residual friction from a past roommate split, while Reed flirts with Delaney, fully aware of Shane’s interest in him. The narrative occasionally shifts to Dale’s perspective, turning his home into a chaotic playground for the students, who raid closets, drink, and test boundaries. Blake attempts to act as the evening’s moral compass, all while juggling concerns about his own medical school future amid the antics.

As the night unfolds, the film gravitates toward confessional moments, giving each character a chance to confront lingering issues. Michael, too, finds himself navigating professional and personal indignities. Yet at its heart, Pools is Kennedy’s story: a young woman carrying the weight of grief, ambition, and social awkwardness, struggling to reconcile her artistic instincts with a conventional college life. Hayes doesn’t claim to offer grand societal insights, but he handles personal conflicts with care, balancing a cast of distinct characters and drawing out a nuanced performance from A’Zion, whose usually sharp-edged screen presence softens into something surprisingly vulnerable. The result is a modest but effective dramedy that signals a promising start for Hayes as a filmmaker.

Pools 2025 Parents Guide

Violence & Gore: A couple of awkwardly staged poolside pratfalls and one or two minor scuffles nothing that’ll have you clutching your pearls. The most intense moment is a minor property damage incident when the gang raids an empty house. It’s more “oops, my bad” than “call the cops.”

Language: The dialogue is peppered with a few mild expletives like “hell” and “damn,” but nothing that’ll make your grandma clutch her rosary. It’s PG-13-level language—think “I’m mad at you” rather than “I’m mad at you, and I’m going to burn your house down.”

Sexual Content: There’s some mild sexual content, including suggestive comments and a few awkward flirtations. A couple of characters share a kiss, and there’s a brief scene where a character is seen shirtless. However, nothing is explicit or graphic. It’s more about the emotional awkwardness of young adulthood than anything overtly sexual.

Substance Use/Drugs: There’s no glorification or glamorization of substance use; it’s portrayed as part of the rebellious, carefree spirit of youth. Still, it’s a reminder that the film doesn’t shy away from showing the less-than-legal antics of its characters.

Final Verdict:
Pools is a breezy, coming-of-age dramedy that captures the essence of youthful rebellion and the search for identity. While it doesn’t delve into deep or controversial territory, it does touch on themes of grief, personal growth, and the complexities of relationships. It’s suitable for older teens and young adults who can appreciate the awkwardness and humor of navigating life’s challenges.