Summer of Sam

How difficult is Summer of Sam in English?

Summer of Sam: 60.3% A1–A2 vocabulary; 17.9% B2, C1, and rare vocabulary. Vocabulary size: 1,765.

Unique vocabulary

• For A2 learners: 28.0% of unique vocabulary is above A2 or marked rare. Expect substantial preparation; start with short scenes and English subtitles.
• For B1 learners: 17.9% of unique vocabulary is above B1 or marked rare. Preview recurring words and use English subtitles.
• For B2 learners: 13.5% of unique vocabulary is above B2 or marked rare. Preview recurring words and use English subtitles.

11.7% Unclassified. Unclassified vocabulary has no reliable level assignment.

Vocabulary weighted by word occurrences

91.6% A1–A2 vocabulary; 2.7% B2, C1, and rare vocabulary; 4.1% Unclassified.

This counts repeated eligible words. Phrases are excluded from this calculation to avoid counting their component words twice.

Recurring words and phrases to preview

• get in (B2): 21 occurrences in available subtitles.

  English meaning: To enter a place or vehicle; in some contexts, to arrive.

  Subtitle example: Get in here now!

• neighbourhood (B1): 13 occurrences in available subtitles.

  Subtitle example: ...as several neighbourhoods in the five boroughs...

• bastard (C1): 10 occurrences in available subtitles.

  English meaning: An insulting term for a person; historically, a child born to unmarried parents.

  Subtitle example: You're a selfish bastard. You're a selfish bastard.

• cop (B2): 10 occurrences in available subtitles.

  English meaning: An informal word for a police officer.

  Subtitle example: I copped that Who's Next album. I was thinking about you.

• hell (C1): 10 occurrences in available subtitles.

  English meaning: A place of suffering in some religious beliefs; also used informally to express anger or surprise.

  Subtitle example: Officer, what the hell happened? What's going on?

Compare with titles in similar genres

• Hackers: 17.9% B2, C1, and rare vocabulary (0.0 percentage points more than Summer of Sam).
• The Paradine Case: 17.6% B2, C1, and rare vocabulary (0.3 percentage points less than Summer of Sam).
• Appaloosa: 16.5% B2, C1, and rare vocabulary (1.3 percentage points less than Summer of Sam).

These percentages describe vocabulary, not the proportion of dialogue you will understand. CEFR labels are estimates, not official film ratings. Accent, speed, songs, context, and your own vocabulary also affect comprehension. Repeated occurrences may include repeated dialogue or lyrics.

How we estimate vocabulary difficulty · Evidence generated: 2026-10-13