Cruel Summer by Juno Dawson. Directed by Phillip Escott, Craig Newman. Cruel Summer is a harrowing, troubling real-world story of lies, Is it a thriller, a horror film, some hybrid of the two or something else entirely?. Talking to Starburst Magazine, Co- writer, Producer, and Director Phillip Escott (Omega Rising. Cruel Summer is a harrowing, troubling real-world story of lies, Is it a thriller, a horror film, some hybrid of the two or something else entirely?. It says it is based on a true story. Graceland and Asleep on the Wind by Ellen Byron. Being that I write for a horror themed website, the first thing I’d like to clarify is how Cruel Summer falls into this particular genre of film.Cruel Summer is marked as a feature that is “based on true events,” and although I’m unsure where the subject material spawned from, a quick Google search shows me dozens of instances in England – where this film originates from – … That's all about to change when enraged teens Nicholas, Calvin and Julia find him, each with their own agenda for wanting to see Danny suffer. Young Autism sufferer Danny enjoys the serenity and solitude of camping. Talking to Starburst Magazine, Co- writer, Producer, and Director Phillip Escott (Omega Rising. It says it is based on a true story. With Danny Miller, Reece Douglas, Natalie Martins, Gary Knowles. Well, stories. Well, stories.