The Intern – A Summer Of Lust (2019) Exclusive Page
However, the film has gained a small cult following on streaming platforms and among fans of “so-bad-it’s-good” erotic thrillers. Some praise its unapologetic embrace of B-movie tropes and its unintentionally hilarious dialogue (“My only risk is wanting you more than my career.”).
True to its title, The Intern – A Summer of Lust explores lust not only as a physical desire but as a metaphor for power, ambition, and self-destruction. The film critiques the modern “hustle culture” internship, where young workers are promised opportunity but are often exploited. The glass-walled office becomes a voyeuristic arena – every glance, every late-night text, every “closed-door meeting” carries the weight of seduction and betrayal.
Unlike typical erotic thrillers from the 1990s, this film attempts a more character-driven approach, giving Chloe internal monologues that question whether her choices are empowering or self-sabotaging. However, the execution is inconsistent: the dialogue leans heavily on melodramatic clichés (“You don’t want a mentor, Chloe. You want a master.”), and the plot twists are predictable. the intern – a summer of lust (2019)
The Intern – A Summer of Lust received overwhelmingly negative reviews from mainstream critics. On aggregator sites, it holds a low approval rating, with common criticisms including wooden secondary performances, an abrupt third-act tonal shift, and a “soft-core” approach that lacks the psychological depth of films like Unfaithful or Original Sin . Many reviewers noted the title as misleading – the “summer of lust” spans only two weeks in the film’s timeline.
The lead actress (often listed under a stage name) delivers a committed, raw performance as Chloe, successfully conveying youthful naivety curdling into disillusionment. The male lead, Julian, is played with smoldering but one-note intensity – more archetype than person. Supporting actresses Sloane and Rebecca steal several scenes, hinting at a more interesting film about female rivalry and solidarity that never fully materializes. However, the film has gained a small cult
Her mentor, – a charming, enigmatic senior executive with a mysterious past – takes a personal interest in her career. What begins as professional guidance quickly escalates into a torrid, clandestine affair. As the summer heat intensifies, Chloe discovers that Julian is entangled with two other women in the office: the jaded but magnetic art director, Sloane , and the icy, ambitious HR manager, Rebecca , who is also Julian’s ex-lover.
The Intern – A Summer of Lust follows ambitious college senior, Chloe Harris , who lands a highly competitive summer internship at a sleek, cutthroat marketing firm in downtown Los Angeles. Eager to prove herself, Chloe expects long hours of data entry and coffee runs. Instead, she finds herself drawn into a web of office politics, secret affairs, and after-hours decadence. However, the execution is inconsistent: the dialogue leans
★½ (1.5/5) – “More lust than logic, and not enough of either to satisfy.”