I Know What You Did Last Summer

(dir. Jennifer Katelyn Robinson)

By: Dave Hughes

I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) arrived onto the scene in the post-Scream teen horror boom of the late 90’s. Starring Jennifer Love Hewitt (Heartbreakers, Party of Five) and Freddie Prinze Jr.(Scooby-Doo, She’s All That), the film exceeded box office expectations and set itself apart from other movies of the time.  Where older generations may look fondly on the cast and the music, I Know What You Did Last Summer as a franchise is not one that resonates in the lexicon of today’s youth. In its latest iteration, director Jennifer Katelyn Robinson’s 21st Century legacy sequel, I Know What You Did Last Summer seeks to reel in the Gen X and Millennial faithful while picking up a new generation of viewers along the way. 

One of Robinson’s smartest moves is casting Madelyn Cline (Outer Banks), whose existing fanbase and screen presence resonate with a younger generation. Cline brings relevance to a film that twenty-somethings may not recognize.  The young actress  is charismatic, funny and has some of the most wicked one-liners of the film. Her character, Danica Richards could easily be dismissed as ditzy, but Cline plays her with a grace and humor that leave audiences no choice but to root her on. Joining Cline is Chase Sui Wonders (Bodies, Bodies, Bodies. The Studio) who brings her own heart and humor to the film. Wonders plays Ava Brucks, a character deeply disturbed by what occurred last summer but also cares deeply for those around her. Both female leads anchor the story, likely reminding fans of the original film of the bond that the original cast shared in 1997.  Madelyn Cline and Chase Sui Wonders are joined by legacy characters in Hewitt and Prinze Jr. who reprise their roles as Julie James and Ray Bronson respectively. Although their introductions stumble a bit out of the gate, they eventually find their footing and by the end of the film audiences are sure to feel satisfied by their nostalgic return. 

When writers undertake a legacy sequel, it can be a difficult balance to acknowledge previous events while simultaneously encouraging moviegoers to look forward.  In this regard, I Know What You Did Last Summer succeeds where so many have failed. Too often in sequels, new characters are served as plot devices until they are connected with more familiar faces. That’s not the case with I Know What You Did Last Summer. Time and care are given to allow new characters to develop until old friends show up.  What sets the film apart is that key events from the past are acknowledged while still moving the story forward.

While watching the film, it becomes clear that Robinson is a true fan of the source material. She takes her time setting the stage, investing in the characters while also keeping some of the original film's sets, shots and dialogue intact. While I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) may be 10 minutes too long, the performances and world building outweigh any issues with runtime.  Children of the 90’s who grew up with Freddie Prinze Jr. or Jennifer Love Hewitt posters adorning their bedroom walls are sure to connect with the characters and look back kindly on their own respective childhoods. There is a good mix of jump scares and brutal kills balanced with a fun and funny environment. It is the ideal callback to those films of the late 90’s that hold a special place in so many people’s hearts. 

Target Score: 7.5/10: Viewers will be happy to return to Southport, North Carolina with this new take on a memorable story. There is a care for the original characters while creating a new cast worthy of audience investment. It’s a delicate line to walk, but director Jennifer Katelyn Robinson succeeds, creating a memorable horror film that hooks viewers right from the start.