If you think 90s slasher horror is making a comeback, I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) is both exciting and disappointing at the same time. This reboot-sequel brings the legend of Helen Shivers and her friends back to the big screen, but this time with a new cast and a different tone.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
The story takes place again in a small coastal town. This time, a group of three female friends—Ava (Chase Sui Wonders), Danica (Madelyn Cline), and Stevie (Sarah Pidgeon)—are celebrating the last day of summer before heading off to college. But that night turns into a nightmare when they hit a man with their car and decide to keep it a secret. One year later, the secret begins to unravel as a psycho in a raincoat wielding a large hook starts hunting them one by one, and this time he knows everything they did last summer.
Acting and Characters
The new cast does a decent job, especially Madelyn Cline, who convincingly portrays Danica's vulnerability and fear. Meanwhile, Chase Sui Wonders as Ava shows the strength of the lead character well. However, the return of Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. as Julie and Ray is a highlight that old fans will love. Although their roles are limited, they connect seamlessly with the original film.
Direction, Cinematography, and Music
Director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson tries to create a classic horror atmosphere using light and shadow and eerie camera angles, especially the chase scene in an abandoned fish factory. Cinematography by Adam Newport-Berra emphasizes teal and purple tones that feel both beautiful and unsettling. The score by Michael Abels effectively builds tension, though some parts feel repetitive compared to other horror films.
Editorial Analysis
Although the film tries to respect the 1997 original by bringing back old actors for cameos, the pacing feels dragged out and not as engaging. The mystery is quite easy to guess for horror fans, and the reveal of the killer is not as impressive as the first film. However, the movie still handles themes of guilt and redemption well, adding depth to the female characters' relationships. Unfortunately, the attempt to create scares is hampered by repetitive jump scares.
Verdict
<p>I Know What You Did Last Summer is a horror film suitable for die-hard fans of the original who want to see the legend return, but for general audiences, it may lack freshness and concise storytelling. If you're a slasher fan who loves the 90s atmosphere, don't miss it, but if you expect legendary scares, you may need to adjust your expectations.</p>
Screenshots
👍 Pros
- +New and old actors work well together
- +Classic horror atmosphere that fans will love
- +Beautiful soundtrack and cinematography
👎 Cons
- −Pacing is slow and dragged out in the middle
- −Killer and mystery are too easy to guess
- −Lacks freshness compared to other slasher films
Top Cast
FAQ
Not necessary, but watching the original will help you understand the connections and the return of old characters better.
The movie has a fair amount of jump scares, but it's not extremely scary. Suitable for those who enjoy typical slasher horror.
No post-credits scene, but there is an end scene that hints at a sequel.
This reboot focuses more on the female characters' relationships and has a different twist, but it's not as scary as the first film.
