I Know What You Did Last Summer Review: This Splashy Gen Z Reboot Lacks Thrills

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The ’90s are making a comeback in such a big way that they’ve even become outdated once more. “I Know What You Did Last Summer” is attempting to appeal to younger audiences by modernizing itself, much like “Scream.” However, while “Scream” was able to keep its charm with its self-aware humor, “I Know What You Did Last Summer” loses a lot of its luster when taken out of the specific context of ’90s horror. Relying heavily on nostalgia that may not be relatable for its intended audience, this reboot feels like an uninspired retread of an average horror film, with fleeting moments of potential scattered throughout the kills.

On the night of July 4th, five friends – Chase Sui Wonders, Madelyn Cline, Jonah Hauer-King, Sarah Pidgeon, and Tyriq Withers – were driving together when they unintentionally caused an accident that sent an innocent driver plummeting off a cliff to their demise. Fearing the consequences of their actions being discovered, the group vowed to keep silent about the incident. However, one year later, during Danica’s (Cline) bridal shower gathering, they were all shocked when Danica opened a chilling note among her gifts that read – you might have guessed it – “I know what you did last summer.

In no time, they’ll encounter an enigmatic character seeking retribution, dressed in fisherman attire and brandishing a chilling hook. Will their past errors from last summer lead them to suffer a fatal consequence, or will they manage to evade this menacing figure’s grasp?

Criminally underwritten ensemble cast

Initially, it’s evident that the charm and appeal of the original film, which captured the hearts of viewers, seems absent in this remake. The 1997 version might have succeeded simply due to its ensemble of emerging stars at the height of their ’90s fame. Whatever the secret ingredient, this new cast appears to fall short, whether it’s their acting or the fact that their characters are written so shallowly that it seems the writers forgot we should care about them as people. The reason for Jonah Hauer-King’s presence in the film remains unclear, considering his character is remarkably underdeveloped within the ensemble cast of horror. Each member of the crew lacks distinct characteristics, making it hard for viewers to empathize with them emotionally. Madelyn Cline as Danica stands out as the only one who brings life and personality to her role.

The movie “I Know What You Did Last Summer” might struggle because it appears overly focused on the past. Instead of giving the new actors a chance to shine, it relies heavily on returning characters, making them too prominent in the storyline. While we appreciate the return of Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jennifer Love Hewitt, their extensive screen time slows down the film, allowing for unnecessary one-liners that aim to excite the small group of original “I Know What You Did Last Summer” enthusiasts. Overall, it seems the film misunderstands the amount of affection viewers have for the first movie. Only one cameo in the film is effectively executed, and we’ll refrain from revealing it here.

Uninspiring death scenes

If your primary cast of characters isn’t compelling enough to keep audiences engaged in a horror movie, then you really need to make the murder scenes stand out. After all, grisly deaths and creatively designed killings have always been what attract viewers to slasher films. Unfortunately, “I Know What You Did Last Summer” appears to lack enthusiasm in this department. There are moments that show some potential, but for the most part, the death sequences in this film either imitate more effective murder scenes from other slashers or they’re over so quickly that they fail to create any significant tension. Despite the common belief that slasher films don’t require much skill to produce, there is an art to crafting a suspenseful and gruesome death scene with a shocking payoff. “I Know What You Did Last Summer” only occasionally manages to scratch the surface of this art. Characters are often dispatched in mere seconds, and while I don’t mean to sound callous, that’s just not as fulfilling.

I Know What You Did Last Summer” manages to avoid being a complete flop by showing some signs of life, particularly through the comedic exchanges between the characters, especially Madelyn Cline as Danica. The film subtly addresses class issues within a community that transformed from a struggling fishing town with a dark past of mass violence into a popular tourist destination. This shift in financial status makes Southport’s leaders less inclined to take the series of murders seriously. However, this intriguing dynamic is not fully developed, likely to give more focus to the inclusion of legacy characters. As a reboot/sequel, it falls short due to its hesitancy to let new characters drive the main storyline effectively.

Before you catch “I Know What You Did Last Summer” in theaters on July 18th, make sure to watch our summary video at Looper first!

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2025-07-16 19:00