In Sam Hayes’ feature debut, Pools, an immersive, deeply moving coming of age film following two nights of Pool hoping just outside of a college campus, he invites us to ponder if we’re truly living our lives for ourselves.
The seemingly carefree ritual of cooling off on a hot summer day becomes the backdrop for a raw and intimate exploration of grief, identity, and the often messy process of growing up. Set over the course of just two transformative nights, the film invites viewers to consider what it truly means to look at the future, and how the masks we wear, especially in youth, can both protect and isolate us.
The film follows Odessa A’zion’s Kennedy, a sharp, defiant college student teetering on the edge of academic expulsion. She has one day to get her act together or risk being kicked out of school for good. But instead of facing the consequences head-on, Kennedy throws caution to the wind and gathers a ragtag group of friends, exes, and near-strangers for a spontaneous night of pool-hopping through the lush backyards of her college town.
Alongside A’zion, the film stars Pools stars Mason Gooding (Scream, Booksmart, Y2K [A24], Heart Eyes [Sony]) and Ariel Winter (Modern Family, Don’t Log Off), along with Tyler Alvarez (Never Have I Ever, American Vandal), Michael Vlamis (Roswell: NM, Crossword), Francesca Noel (R#J, Goosebumps 2025), and Suzanne Cryer (Silicon Valley), rounding out a dynamic ensemble that brings humor, depth, and heart to this unforgettable coming-of-age story.
We sat down with the cast and director of Pools. Check it out below!
