“I Know What You Did Last Summer” Leans into the Punch

Nearly three decades after a hook-wielding murderer terrorized a group of teens in Southport, North Carolina, a batch of fresh new faces must deal with the consequences of what they did last summer.

A legacy sequel to the 1997 film of the same name, I Know What You Did Last Summer is a modern take on an old story and knows it, too. As is the case with all franchise reboots and revivals, I went into this film with a heavy deal of skepticism—not because I hold the original teen slasher in particularly high regard but because I have been burned by enough nostalgia cash grabs to know better. However, I Know What You Did Last Summer isn’t that. Well, at least not only that.

Jonah Hauer-King, Sarah Pidgeon, Chase Sui Wonders, Madelyn Cline, and Tyriq Withers in I Know What You Did Last Summer. Columbia Pictures

Our setup here is the same: Five friends messing around late at night inadvertently cause a car accident, which leads to the death of the person driving the vehicle. Instead of going to the police, they convince themselves to flee the scene and pretend it never happened. The reasoning in this case is that one of the friends, Teddy (Tyriq Withers), is Southport’s very own “nepo baby,” whose father is a bigshot real estate developer, and this information going public would be a stain on the family’s name.

Quickly—maybe too quickly—all involved are on board to forget their involvement in the accident. That is, until the following summer, when they receive an anonymous message about what they did. Someone is seeking revenge on them, and it is going to cost them more than their reputation.

Columbia Pictures

Between some heavy Gen Z dialogue and a direct reference to Nicole Kidman’s infamous AMC ad, this film tips its hand early: I Know What You Did Last Summer is quite aware of itself and of those watching it. It doesn’t go as far as, say, Scream-level commentary on the metanarrative, but it doesn’t really need to.

In order to enjoy this film, you do need to get in on the bit and open yourself up to a bit of unseriousness. Looking for likeable, wise characters or believability in the outlandish kills won’t get you very far here because I Know What You Did Last Summer’s real strength is in its ability to poke fun at itself and the audience. While the script and story do well enough at hooking the audience (pun intended), the real joy here is in the film’s sillier parts. Whether it’s Gabbriette Bechtel’s Tyler, a true crime podcaster who proudly brandishes a T-shirt of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s (dead) character, Helen Shivers, or Jennifer Love Hewitt’s Julie James declaring “Nostalgia is overrated,” it is best enjoyed as camp.

Jennifer Love Hewitt as Julie James. Columbia Pictures

Madelyn Cline and Chase Sui Wonders as the film’s leads turn in fun and accomplished performances. They’re easy to watch and their dynamic as friends explores an interesting new avenue in the horror genre. Our original cast reprisals, Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr., offer steady insight into the personal effects of the first installment as well as what has been happening in Southport since the original events. And as one hopes with any legacy sequel, there is a heavy dose of fanservice that I personally really enjoyed.

This film isn’t going to be for everybody, but I really think that is the point. Maybe the old way of the slasher is tired and this remake of a beloved classic offers insight to a possible path forward. Or maybe, it’s just for fun—like movies should be.