Pools (2025) – Review and Summary
Pools, as its lead finds herself at a crossroad, pushes you to think about your own decisions and not only if you picked the right one, but are you happy?
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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“Pools” Film Details
- Runtime: 1 Hour(s) and 39 Minutes
- Released On: In Theaters
- Public Release Date: August 29, 2025
- Wide Release: September 5, 2025
- Director(s): Sam Hayes
- Writer(s): Sam Hayes
- Primary Language: English
- Genre(s): Comedy, Drama, Young Adult
- Rating: Not Rated
- Distributor: Circle Collective
- Official Site Link
Movie Summary
Kennedy initially was an academic star. She got in with a prestigious scholarship, was an economics major who could have been an esteemed alumnus, but then she began crashing out in her sophomore year after her dad died. Now, on academic probation, she finds herself at a crossroads between recommitting to school, as her father likely would want, or focusing on what she wants, who she is, and not having her life dictated by the assumption that a college degree is required to have a good life.
Cast and Characters
Kennedy (Odessa A’zion)
- Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
- Character Summary: A noted academic before college, Kennedy seemingly had a lot going for her. She had personality, the grades, a scholarship that offered her a full ride, but with the death of her father, it seems she was forced to pause long enough to look at her life, and she may not have liked what she saw.
Reed (Mason Gooding)
- Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
- Character Summary: An athlete whose injury threw him off course, Reed is now often seen exercising in the courtyard to clear his mind and focusing on his major to help athletes avoid the spiral he went through.
Michael (Michael Vlamis)
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- Character Summary: Michael is an air conditioning repairman with two roommates, who is probably one of the first to truly listen and appreciate Kennedy’s music.
Blake (Tyler Alvarez)
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- Character Summary: Blake is a young man scared of getting in trouble, with a death grip on the belief that he will become a doctor someday.
Shane (Francesca Noel)
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- Character Summary: Shane is a friend of Delaney, with a massive crush on Reed.
Delaney (Ariel Winter)
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- Character Summary: Delaney was one of Kennedy’s closest friends during freshman year, but, depending on who tells the story, Delaney abandoned Kennedy once she didn’t adhere to the perfection Delaney saw for her college experience, or Kennedy faded away to the point it was like she ended the friendship.
What To Expect In “Pools” (Not Rated) – Content Overview
- Dialog:
- Cursing: Occasional
- Sexual Content:
- Sexual Situations: Implied
- Miscellaneous:
- Drinking: Yes
- Vomiting: Yes
- Smoking: Yes
Review and Commentary
Highlight(s)
A Different Kind Of Nostalgia [85/100]
When it comes to Pools, Sam Hayes, like many, was inspired by John Hughes and the coming-of-age ensemble films from the ’80s, which still permeate the zeitgeist. I wouldn’t say this is anything like those films as it not only feels modern, but also the setup makes a bit more sense. Kennedy, being an extrovert, needs connection, which makes her dynamic to these acquaintances or strangers, and how she convinces these people to join her in her downward spiral makes sense.
Also, despite being older than Kennedy, it still drove a sense of nostalgia for me, but not the usual brand, which focused on the good time or the highs. It isn’t about that grand party, the friends you’d have forever, but the quieter, sadder, contemplative moments when you move beyond questioning your parents and how they raised you and look at your hands and notice you have the reins now.
Pools makes you think about the pivotal moments where you said yes, no, or allowed someone else to decide on your behalf. It makes you think about your future, as we watch one character seemingly go from smiling and some semblance of fun, to insecure and a bit of a butt head. Pools, altogether, make you want to consider how your life has turned out and whether you are happy with where it seems to be going.
Odessa A’Zion [86/100]
What has long drawn us to A’Zion as an actor is that you can’t get a clear read on her character. There is this sense of mischievousness, by default, when it comes to them, but also this layer of experiencing consistent disappointment yet still having hope. Where they will tap into is always hard to say, yet it keeps you guessing their next move.
As Kennedy, it makes it so you’re unsure when Kennedy opens up to characters like Michael, like Blake, Shane, Reed, or even when she gets reacquainted with Delaney, what may come of it. There is chemistry there between her and Reed, but also this sense that they see each other’s pain and trauma without having to have a conversation on the details. Shane? You can see this need to protect Shane in Kennedy’s heart and expression, as if she were a little sister.
Blake? Kennedy sees herself in him, worried about imperfections hijacking the trajectory they are on, not knowing things outside of your control can be as damaging as your own decisions, which leaves us with Delaney. In many ways, you can see Kennedy seeks out connection, a genuine, life-changing connection, with all those named, and can see reflections of herself in each one. When it comes to Delaney, however, there is something special there.
What exactly? Well, everyone else is new, but Delaney at least knew Kennedy since Freshman year, and what Delaney did brings out that disappointment. It helps you understand how things got so bad for Kennedy, yet also reminds you of the hope that many people have that someone can see them, embrace them, and, with a clean slate, love them as they are, even if that means not loving them at their best.
It’s all so wonderfully connected, and A’Zion, through her performance, including her songs, just gives you this permission to breathe out, feel, and be a bit messy.
Michael’s Monologue Regarding Liking What He Does, Not Working Towards Something Bigger or Better [84/100]
While the majority of characters exist in Kennedy’s orbit, Michael stands out not only because he is older, but also because he is not on a similar path. His existence reminds Kennedy and viewers that there isn’t just one way to live life. You don’t always have to go to college, seek out the highest paying job, and just put your head down and work your way through the mosh. You can seek out your passions, do what makes you happy, and not listen to society’s assumptions based on fear.
He specifically has this one monologue about being an air conditioner tech, not being a pitstop, but what he genuinely enjoys and would love to do all the way to retirement. In many ways, Michael finds himself speaking for everyone who has ever decided against college, wanting to do more than flip pages or click on keys with their hands, and truly have a life that offers flexibility and purpose.
He presents yet another way Pools wants to not just be this fun comedy but also something that can linger in your thoughts and get you to think. The perfect balance between giving your audience something meant to be fun and entertaining, yet also being just as capable of making them reflect on not only their lives, but also how they approach the lives of others.
On The Fence
It May Feel Like You Didn’t Get To Know Much Of The Supporting Cast [77/100]
As noted above, the majority of characters exist in Kennedy’s orbit, and because of that, often if she doesn’t shine a light on them, you may feel like you barely get to know them. Michael escapes this, Reed to a point, but Blake, Delaney, and Shane? Not so much.
Blake, we know, is high-strung, wants to be a doctor, and has a crush on Kennedy, but he doesn’t stand out in such a way to feel like he is anything but someone Kennedy needs to save from potentially burning out. Delaney? I don’t think we even learn what her major is. We learn she used to be friends with Kennedy, has suppressed feelings for Reed, and is not the best friend to Shane.
Then, with Shane, honestly, her existence begins and ends with her crush on Reed. Beyond that, you know she is pseudo-friends with Delaney, but that’s it. This all feels unfortunate for each one, I feel, could have been different representatives for people at various stages in their lives, and maybe different backgrounds. But, instead, they feel like pieces of Kennedy, or her story, and not necessarily autonomous people.
Overall
Our Rating (83/100): Positive (Worth Seeing)
Pools will likely deepen your love for Odessa A’zion as an actor, lead you to question what Sam Hayes has next up his sleeve, and generally leave you not only enjoying yourself because of the comedic moments, but also because the film made you think without an agenda.
At no time does Pools pass judgement or get heavy handed, but in its depiction of its characters, how it takes us on a story that happens in less than 4 days, it present to you the opportunity to reflect and maybe even permission to mourn who you were, who you are, while encouraging you to reclaim your life and focus on what could make you happy.
Video Text
- Intro Slide
- Summary: Kennedy has been on autopilot for years, and while it has awarded her scholarships and access to a top-tier school, she was burning out.
- Summary: Add in the loss of her dad, her biggest champion and driver, and Kennedy finds herself questioning if any of this she really wants.
- Summary: Thus leading to her deciding to crash out a bit, with some old and new friends, as she decides what her next chapter will look like.
- Review: For anyone who has gone to college because they thought that was required to be successful, Kennedy’s story is likely to resonate with you.
- Review: From what is a respectable job, what will make money, the idea of just keeping your head down and toughing it out, no matter how much you hate something, this was likely said to you.
- Review: But, while there was always the promise of a good job and money, happiness and satisfaction were never part of the deal, and with Kennedy part of Gen Z, she knows life has its fingers crossed behind its back.
- Review: So in watching Odessa A’zion take on Kennedy, you’re reminded of that crossroad where you could either live your life or follow someone else’s blueprint, hoping the sacrifice was worth it.
- Review: All while recognizing that, because of how scared your peers were, it means often going at things alone and being assumed a rebel without a cause just because you didn’t follow outdated rules.
- Overall (83/100): Pools delivers on a less happy version of nostalgia as itacts as a wake-up call of sorts. For in it reminding viewers that generations-old blueprints no longer can promise stability, and certainly won’t provide happiness, it might be up to you to draft your own future.
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