‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ Review: A Slash of Nostalgia

Lessons from movies can be incredibly insightful. For instance, the original “I Know What You Did Last Summer” serves as a cautionary tale against drinking and driving, or if one chooses to do so, it underlines the importance of not accidentally hitting a potentially lethal fisherman during that act.

In my opinion, the latest rendition of “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” also known by the same title, dishes out advice that’s as relevant to everyday life as it is thrilling. For instance: Stay clear of blind curves on mountain roads – or if you must linger there, be mindful not to cause a truck to veer off a cliff edge, abandon the accident site, and then find yourself entangled in a complicated revenge scheme the following summer.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m delighting in the thrilling revisit of “I Know What You Did Last Summer” as it playfully twists the original plot. The movie continues the chilling tale of survivors haunted by a bloodthirsty fisherman who mysteriously appears and disappears, shrouded from head to toe in PVC and rubber. (And oh, I can’t help but wonder where one could acquire those whisper-quiet boots – mine seem to squeak like mad!)

Confronting the peculiar idea of a film about a murderer who imitates fishermen, director and co-writer Jennifer Kaytin Robinson embraced this oddity, creating a work that resembles a witty horror comedy, similar to the tone of Scream (written by the original scriptwriter of I Know What You Did Last Summer, Kevin Williamson), rather than the initial IKWYDLS which was more of a traditional slasher featuring hot teens in peril.

In this updated version, the main characters are now in their twenties, reminiscing old times as they traverse the same North Carolina road where a fateful accident supposedly happened three decades ago on the very same night. Remarkably, such a sequence of events seems to be lifted straight from a cherished intellectual property in need of a contemporary revamp. Just like before, those who witnessed the event (who also seem to have been involved) choose to leave the scene and swear to keep silent about what they saw and their potential involvement.

What did you do last summer?

As I mentioned earlier, the original movie based on Lois Duncan’s novel, I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), touched upon the idea that these young characters might have had their actions deservedly punished. In contrast, the 2025 version is more about playing with the concept of a morality tale centered around a man dressed like a fisherman who’s out for revenge. Julianne Cline, in this updated adaptation, makes an enjoyable heroine due to her spot-on comic delivery. I found myself cheering for Danica not just because I felt strongly about her character, but because I appreciated watching Cline’s humorous performances and didn’t want the fun onscreen dynamic to end.

Additionally effective within a restricted screen duration is Freddie Prinze Jr., reprising his role as the seemingly sole resident of this town who recalls events from decades past (perhaps because, you know, he narrowly escaped being slashed by a man in a raincoat and bucket hat). Prinze delivers a more impactful performance than in the initial film, portraying a character whose life was significantly altered due to these traumatic incidents in his past. (Note that I’d say incidents, as he was also part of the sequel, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer 2, a fact he humorously acknowledges at one point.)

Admitingly, I haven’t held the earlier “I Know What You Did Last Summer” films in high esteem, and I wasn’t particularly optimistic about this sequel, considering the success of the “Scream” legacyquel. Given their history, it makes sense – the first “I Know What You Did Last Summer” was a hit due to the original success of “Scream” back in the ’90s.

This new “IKWYDLS” has more endings than necessary, and it begins quite slowly and predictably. However, it managed to win me over with its clever handling of legacy characters and its self-aware, humorous tone.

Robinson clearly understood every aspect of what she was creating here, even down to the scene where two characters debate the advantages and disadvantages of nostalgia. To be honest, the film industry could benefit from more fresh concepts and less reminiscing about the past. However, this movie manages to entertain sufficiently that I’ll overlook it. By a narrow margin, it’s likely the best version of “I Know What You Did Last Summer” yet. (It’s worth noting that I’m not overly fond of the original — which, upon reflection, might be why I appreciated this film and its subtle self-deprecating tone.)

Additional Thoughts:

The initial settings are at a gathering celebrating an engagement, with banners displaying “Danica & Teddy Got Caught” subtly humoristic, albeit questionable taste considering the event unfolds in the city infamous for its high rate of fishing-related accidents, or so it appears.

The film’s publicist gave me this advice when I got there for the screening: ‘Stick around until after the closing credits.’

RATING: 6/10

The Best Horror Movies of 2025 So Far

Companion

During a peaceful vacation at a secluded lakeside home with friends, the young woman Iris (Sophie Thatcher) makes an astonishing discovery: she is not a human but an AI companion controlled by her boyfriend Josh’s (Jack Quaid) phone app. This unique blend of science fiction and horror is both exhilarating and darkly humorous, shining brightest when Thatcher and Quaid portray their characters at their most unhinged. Thatcher’s blood-soaked Iris speaks frantic German to a bewildered police officer, while Quaid delves into the chilling transformation of Josh as he loses control over his robotic girlfriend, embracing a dangerous incel mindset. Intelligent, fashionable, and at times absurdly amusing, Companion is a twisted, non-traditional romantic comedy that offers a modern, relevant perspective on the Final Girl in the era of digital unease and gender dynamics.

Sinners

In a departure from his usual genre, director Ryan Coogler crafts an expansive, daring film that defies conventional horror boundaries with “Sinners.” Beyond the surface narrative of twin brothers reopening a nightclub in Mississippi during the 1930s, this story delves into the darker realms of violence, liberty, vengeance, and atonement. It unfolds amidst Deep South vampires and blues music imbued with supernatural energy. Innovative, pulsating with action, and showcasing captivating performances by Michael B. Jordan (playing dual roles) and Hailee Steinfeld, “Sinners” stirs the soul in multiple ways.

Final Destination Bloodlines

In simpler terms, the sixth installment of the “Final Destination” series, titled “Final Destination Bloodlines“, might be its best yet. This supernatural slasher, if you consider Death as an entity, takes viewers back to the early days, before the first film’s plane crash disaster. A young woman’s survival of a tragic tower accident in the ’60s triggers a chain of gruesome deaths for her descendants. The movie includes a heartfelt monologue from the late horror icon Tony Todd and a captivating performance by Brec Bassinger as the not-so-typical Final Girl from the 1960s timeline. Overall, “Bloodlines ” is entertaining, unpredictable, and creatively gory, breathing new life into the previously inactive franchise for a modern audience.

The Ugly Stepsister

In this chilling Norwegian comedy that reimagines the classic tale of Cinderella, the ugly stepsisters are given a dark twist. Elvira, under her selfish mother’s insidious influence and fueled by her own growing envy towards her beautiful step-servant, resorts to a harrowing series of painful cosmetic surgeries in an attempt to win over the kingdom’s superficial prince. This gruesome tale set in medieval times presents plastic surgery as a form of torture, offering a grim portrayal of society’s dangerous fixation on beauty standards. However, this disturbing fable finds a unique happily ever after through the empowering message of self-acceptance.

Presence

As a fan, I can tell you that in Steven Soderbergh’s movie “Presence,” we find ourselves in a familiar scenario: a family moving into a new home after a tragic event. However, what sets this film apart is its unique approach – the narrative unfolds from the perspective of the haunting presence itself. With subtle performances and a few unexpected twists, “Presence” delivers an eerie, slow-burning experience that never strays off course. The movie’s structure keeps the audience engaged, allowing them to slowly piece together the mystery like they would a puzzle.

Grafted

In the film “Grafted,” the protagonist, an academically gifted but insecure Chinese girl named Wei, endeavors to complete her father’s pioneering medical research while studying at a university in New Zealand. Despite her intellectual prowess, Wei’s self-doubts, sparked by a birthmark on her face, the rejection she faces from her high-society cousin and peers, and the discrimination she encounters in New Zealand, lead her to the edge of insanity following a groundbreaking scientific discovery with chilling consequences. As Wei’s circumstances worsen, she resorts to an extreme measure, adopting the visages of her tormentors in a frantic attempt to fit in and reclaim what is rightfully hers. Sasha Rainbow’s directorial debut, a blend of camp, intelligence, and dark humor, can be described as a sugary-sweet body horror nightmare that combines elements of “The Substance” and “Face/Off.

Bring Her Back

Grief can lead people to act in ways that seem unimaginable. In the movie “Bring Her Back,” a sequel produced by the creators of the 2023 terrifying film “Talk to Me,” we encounter Piper and Andy, newly orphaned step-siblings who are temporarily placed with their foster mother Laura. As time passes, Laura’s peculiar behavior becomes unsettling to Andy. When they uncover that Laura is still mourning the drowning death of her daughter and is willing to go to any lengths to bring her back, Piper and Andy find themselves in the midst of a sinister ritual. The movie is a harrowing exploration of escalating fear and sorrow, as each tense and progressively distressing scene propels both the teenage characters and viewers towards an unimaginable end. Remarkable performances by Billy Barratt, who plays Andy, add to the intensity as he portrays a desperate older brother burdened by his own trauma and sense of duty.

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2025-07-16 19:26