🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Alex Israel
- Genre: Drama, Romance, Comedy
- Release year: 2017
- Runtime (length): 1h 15min
- IMDb rating: 3.2/10 (5.6K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A bunch of privileged teens with minimal problems hang out in Keanu Reeves’ beach house and somehow ‘find themselves’ while also swapping partners like it’s a game of musical chairs.
🍿 SPF-18: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction: Penny’s Unrequited Love
SPF-18 introduces Penny Cooper, an 18-year-old who has spent years longing for Johnny Sanders Jr. Their relationship is complicated by Johnny’s recent loss of his father, a surfing legend, and his internal conflict about his future. Penny’s infatuation blinds her to other possibilities, setting the stage for a summer of self-discovery.

Keanu Reeves’ Beach House and New Arrivals
Johnny is entrusted with house-sitting duties at Keanu Reeves’ Malibu beach house, creating a backdrop for the characters’ interactions. The arrival of Ash, a mysterious musician, disrupts the established dynamic and challenges Penny’s affections. Steve, a suspended surfer, and Camilla, Penny’s cousin, add further layers to the unfolding drama.

Virginity and Artistic Dreams
Penny’s desire to lose her virginity to Johnny becomes a central theme, juxtaposed with Johnny’s struggle to choose between art school and pursuing his father’s surfing legacy. Camilla seeks recognition and respect, while Ash strives for authenticity in his music. Each character grapples with personal aspirations and uncertainties about the future.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Penny Cooper (Carson Meyer): An 18-year-old who is torn between her longtime crush and a new, mysterious musician.
- Johnny Sanders Jr. (Noah Centineo): A surfer grappling with his father’s death and deciding between art school and surfing.
- Ash Baker (Jackson White): A country singer-guitarist who arrives on the beach and captures Penny’s attention.
- Camilla Barnes (Bianca A. Santos): Penny’s cousin, who wants to be taken seriously and supports Penny’s journey of self-discovery.
- Steve Galmarini (Sean Russel Herman): A suspended surfer seeking his place on the beach after spending most of his life surfing.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Camilla Barnes: “It makes me so sad that we as a society are still so inflexible about public nudity.” – Camilla questions societal norms about nudity during a conversation on the beach.
- Camilla Barnes: “California’s a concept. It’s a way of saying “We’re not Nevada, and thank God for that.”” – Camilla delivers this line during an argument with Steve Galmarini about camping on the beach.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 SPF-18 Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, I’ll be honest, I went into this movie expecting a light, breezy teen romance, and what I got was… well, something else entirely. The plot felt like a fever dream, and the characters were so detached from reality that I couldn’t connect with any of them. There were a couple of nice beach shots, and the soundtrack was admittedly catchy, but overall, it felt like a waste of time. Honestly, I’m still trying to figure out what the point of it all was!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of teen dramas with a surreal or quirky twist”
- “Viewers interested in surf culture and California beach settings”
- “Those who appreciate 80s music soundtracks”
- “Fans of Noah Centineo or Molly Ringwald”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Sexual content and nudity”
- “Drug references”
- “Language”
Professional Reviews
- IMDB: “A cinematic train wreck where privileged teens face manufactured crises while surfing and house-sitting. The writing is atrocious, acting wooden, and direction inept. Even cameos from Keanu Reeves and Pamela Anderson can’t save this from being a contender for the worst film ever made. The soundtrack is the only redeeming factor.
- Rotten Tomatoes: “SPF-18 squanders its beautiful scenery and cool soundtrack with a nonsensical plot and cringe-worthy dialogue. The film struggles with tone and lacks any genuine emotional depth, resulting in a shallow and ultimately forgettable viewing experience.
- AllMovie: “While visually appealing with its beach setting and surfer aesthetic, SPF-18 suffers from a disjointed narrative and uninspired performances. The film’s attempt at exploring existential themes falls flat, making it feel pretentious and ultimately unsatisfying.
Audience Reactions
The soundtrack and scenery were the only good things about this movie.: Beautiful California beach scenery and a nostalgic 80’s soundtrack were the only positives mentioned, but everything else, especially the script and acting, were widely criticized.
The plot made absolutely no sense, with multiple storylines going nowhere.: The absence of a coherent plot and the bizarre character decisions made it difficult for viewers to understand or engage with the movie.
Overall Consensus: SPF-18 is widely regarded as a poorly executed film with a nonsensical plot, weak acting, and questionable direction. Its few redeeming qualities, such as the soundtrack and scenery, are not enough to save it from being a critical failure.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Writer and director Alex Israel secured the rights to Duran Duran’s ‘Hungry Like the Wolf’ because he had produced artwork for their 2015 album ‘Paper Gods’.”
- “The closing credits incorrectly list Rosanna Arquette as playing Penny’s mom (Faye Cooper) and Molly Ringwald as playing Johnny’s mom (Linda Sanders); the roles are reversed in the film.”
🖥️ How to Watch SPF-18?
As of [Current Date], SPF-18 is available for streaming on Netflix. Availability may vary depending on your region. You may also be able to rent or purchase the movie through platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred digital retailer for specific pricing and availability.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed SPF-18, you might like these similar films:
- The Kissing Booth (2018): Both are teen romance dramas with a focus on relationship dynamics and summer experiences.
- To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018): Features Noah Centineo and is a teen romance with similar themes of love and self-discovery.
- Booksmart (2019): Explores the transition to adulthood and self-discovery, similar to the journey of the characters in SPF-18, but with a comedic and female-centric perspective.
🛒 SPF-18 Related Products
- California Beach Photography Prints: High-quality prints showcasing the stunning beaches of Malibu, capturing the essence of the movie’s beautiful scenery.
- 80s Retro Music Playlist Subscription: Enjoy the nostalgic sounds from the ’80s featured in the film’s soundtrack with curated playlists updated weekly.
- SPF-18 Inspired Beachwear Collection: A collection of trendy beachwear, including swimsuits, cover-ups, and accessories, inspired by the characters’ fashion in the movie.
- Limited Edition ‘SPF-18’ Movie Poster: A professionally printed, high-quality poster featuring unique artwork or behind-the-scenes images from the film. A collector’s item for dedicated fans.
🎧 Soundtrack
SPF-18 features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Hungry Like the Wolf” – performed by Duran Duran
- “All of Me” – performed by Tanlines
- “Cruel Summer” – performed by Bananarama
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
SPF-18 was filmed in Los Angeles, California, taking advantage of the beautiful coastal scenery and iconic beach locations.
The narrator in SPF-18 is Goldie Hawn. Her voice adds a unique, almost dreamlike quality to the storytelling.
No, SPF-18 is not based on a true story. It is a fictional narrative about teenagers navigating love, loss, and self-discovery during a summer in Malibu.
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