Introduction: Familiar Title, Forgettable Experience
In an age where iconic horror franchises like Scream and Final Destination have successfully reimagined themselves for modern audiences, Jennifer Kaytin Robinson’s 2025 revival of I Know What You Did Last Summer struggles to justify its existence.
While there’s a distinct appeal in revisiting a beloved horror classic, this iteration unfortunately serves as a stark reminder that some memories are better left untouched. Despite a commendable cast and moments of genuine tension, the film is bogged down by predictable plotlines and lifeless execution, making it an unnecessary addition to the franchise.
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Story: A Recycled Nightmare
The film follows a familiar trajectory: five friends, Danica (Madelyn Cline), Ava (Chase Sui Wonders), Milo (Jonah Hauer-King), Teddy (Tyriq Withers), and Stevie (Sarah Pidgeon), inadvertently cause a deadly car accident. Opting to conceal their crime rather than face justice, they swear secrecy, only to find themselves targeted a year later by a mysterious killer aware of their dark secret.
In a twist meant to pay homage to the 1997 original, the survivors of the “legendary” Southport Massacre, Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and Ray Bronson (Freddie Prinze Jr.), are brought in as reluctant guides. Despite some initially compelling tension, the film quickly devolves into a predictable slasher, revisiting tropes that were outdated decades ago. The nostalgia factor offers minimal comfort, making one wish they’d just revisited the original film instead.
Characters: Familiar Faces, Flat Performances
Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, and Jonah Hauer-King deliver adequate performances, though their characters are thinly written and lack depth beyond the basic stereotypes of slasher cinema. Cline, as Danica, carries the emotional weight of the narrative competently, but even her performance can’t elevate a script that feels utterly mundane. Chase Sui Wonders adds some complexity as Ava, yet the dynamics between the friends never feel authentic or engaging.
Meanwhile, the legacy trio, Hewitt, Gellar, and Prinze Jr., appear more as nostalgia bait rather than meaningful contributors to the narrative, largely wasting their potential impact. Their inclusion feels forced and unnecessary, serving more as a distraction than an enhancement.
Direction: Misguided Nostalgia and Missed Opportunities
Jennifer Kaytin Robinson’s direction fails to breathe new life into this franchise. While her vision occasionally manages to create suspense, notably in isolated set pieces, overall, it falls into repetitive jump scares and tedious kill sequences. Her storytelling lacks innovation, sticking rigidly to predictable narrative beats.
The film tries hard to blend homage with modernization but ends up stuck awkwardly between the two, neither offering a fresh take nor fully embracing the charm of its predecessor. The direction ultimately feels uninspired, marking a disappointing entry for Robinson and co-writer Sam Lansky, whose combined efforts here result in a shallow reflection of better works.
Technical Details: Competent Yet Forgettable
From a technical standpoint, I Know What You Did Last Summer is competent but rarely exceptional. The cinematography by Elisha Christian captures a moody atmosphere effectively, with some visually appealing night sequences and shadow play. However, it never fully leverages the camera to elevate the tension or atmosphere beyond typical horror aesthetics.
Similarly, the film’s score, composed by Chanda Dancy, adequately underscores suspenseful moments yet fails to deliver memorable thematic elements or elevate the overall experience. Ultimately, the technical proficiency displayed is overshadowed by the script’s shortcomings, rendering these elements forgettable rather than impactful.
Final Thoughts: Leave Summer in the Past
In essence, I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) feels like a hollow exercise in nostalgia, adding nothing significant to the slasher genre or its own franchise legacy. It relies heavily on audience affection for the original film, yet delivers little substance or genuine scares. This sequel-cum-reboot is a stark reminder that revisiting past hits isn’t always a recipe for success, particularly when the execution lacks originality and purpose.
While fans desperate for any connection to the 1997 film might find fleeting enjoyment, most viewers would benefit from simply revisiting the original. Ultimately, this revival collapses under its bland narrative, predictable scares, and misguided attempts at nostalgia, proving some summers should indeed be left forgotten.
About “I Know What You Did Last Summer” (2025)
Synopsis: When five friends inadvertently cause a deadly car accident, they cover up their involvement and make a pact to keep it a secret rather than face the consequences. A year later, their past comes back to haunt them and they’re forced to confront a horrifying truth: someone knows what they did last summer…and is hell-bent on revenge. As one by one the friends are stalked by a killer, they discover this has happened before, and they turn to two survivors of the legendary Southport Massacre of 1997 for help.
Director: Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
Writers: Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, Sam Lansky, Leah McKendrick
Cast: Madelyn Cline (Danica Richards), Chase Sui Wonders (Ava Brucks), Jonah Hauer-King (Milo Griffin), Tyriq Withers (Teddy Spencer), Sarah Pidgeon (Stevie Ward), Sarah Michelle Gellar (Helen Shivers), Freddie Prinze Jr. (Ray Bronson), Jennifer Love Hewitt (Julie James)
Rated: R for bloody horror violence, language throughout, some sexual content, and brief drug use.
Runtime: 1h 51m
Releases: July 18, 2025
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