It’s been nearly 30 years since I Know What You Did Last Summer hit theatres. The 1997 slasher had a much different trajectory than other big horror franchises. A sequel, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, was released the following year, and a direct-to-video installment titled I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer came out in 2006. For two decades, the franchise lay dormant until Do Revenge writer/director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson decided to tackle a “requel.” Robinson has given new life to I Know What You Did Last Summer and gifted horror fans with their popcorn flick of the summer.

The new installment is slow to start, but once it ramps up, it takes you on a journey worthy of the I Know What You Did Last Summer name. The film does a commendable job of balancing the old and new. The fresh characters fit nicely into the world of Southport, the kills are entertaining, and the nostalgia is delectably tongue-in-cheek. Just when we thought requels were as dead as Helen Shivers, I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) pulled us right back in.

I know what you did last summer – The Return to Southport…

i know what you did last summer

Horror “requels” were made popular by Halloween (2018), and the term took off thanks to Scream (2022). Requels usually follow a new cast of characters coming up against an iconic killer. I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) pulls from the ever-growing requel playbook. Just like Halloween, there’s a podcaster coming to dredge up the old story. Just like Scream, trauma plays a huge role in the character arcs. Naturally, in every case, the new characters must seek the help of the original surviving stars.

In I Know What You Did Last Summer, those survivors are Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and Ray Bronson (Freddie Prinze Jr.). The duo made it through two murder sprees by the Fisherman, a nefarious killer in a slicker whose weapon of choice is a hook. The first movie took place in their hometown of Southport, and the sequel saw them facing the killer in a deserted resort in the Bahamas. Now, they’re helping a new group of young Southport natives who made one fatal mistake… last summer.

It was a true delight to see Hewitt and Prinze Jr. back together. The movie overdelivers on fan service at times, but considering we haven’t seen these characters since 1998, it’s hard to be mad about it. As seen in the trailer, Hewitt drops her iconic, “What are you waiting for?” line. In our screening, the audience laughed at the moment, but not in a cruel way. In a kicking-your-feet, having-a-blast kind of way.

If you’re a fan of the original, you probably know that many fans believe Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Helen Shivers should’ve been the final girl. Gellar is beloved, especially in the horror space. You won’t be surprised to learn that the movie pays tribute to her… a lot. It’s almost as if the franchise is apologizing for depriving you of more Gellar. Helen comes up so much, it becomes comical (compliment).

I Know What You Did Last Summer isn’t in on the joke quite as perfectly as Scream, but it’s enough to earn our respect.

The Newcomers

i know what you did last summer

The new set of young adults find themselves in a similar situation to the one Julie, Ray, and their friends faced in 1997. More reckless behavior on July 4th leads to an accidental death, and they start paying the price one year later.

Chase Sui Wonders stars as Ava Brucks, who takes on a similar role to Julie. She wants to go to the police, and seems to struggle with the guilt more than anyone. Madelyn Cline plays Danica Richards, a worthy successor to Helen. She’s a vapid yet likable former Quaker Queen with great hair. The group is rounded out by Jonah Hauer-King, Tyriq Withers, and Sarah Pidgeon.

While no one can replace the original core four, the new cast is likable enough to hold your attention. Wonders and Cline are especially engaging. However, one element that doesn’t work quite as well is the impact of the time jump. In the 1997 film, all four teens start the movie with big dreams and bright futures. However, they’re all hit with a nasty dose of reality once they enter adulthood.

The new batch of characters, who are a little older than the originals, aren’t quite as down-on-their-luck after one year. Things haven’t gone perfectly for them, but they don’t have the same defeated energy that made the original characters so interesting.

The Surprises (Don’t Worry, No Spoilers!)

i know what you did last summer

Without giving anything away, I Know What You Did Last Summer is filled with fun surprises. In fact, it’s a must-see on opening weekend. There are a lot of moments that will thrill fans of the franchise. We recommend revisiting both I Know What You Did Last Summer and I Still Know What You Did Last Summer to get the full effect. There aren’t many ties to the second movie (which is easily the worst of the three). However, there are enough nods to make it worth rewatching.

Ultimately, the new I Know What You Did Last Summer has some flaws, but it makes some incredibly bold moves. Those decisions won’t work for everyone, but they left us grinning from ear to ear. So, what are you waiting for? Get your tickets to I Know What You Did Last Summer, which hits theaters on July 18th.