As a child of the ’90s, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of nostalgia when I revisit “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” Growing up in North Carolina, much like the film’s creator, Kevin Williamson, the river towns depicted in this movie hold a special place in my heart. The echoes of Dawson’s Creek are undeniable, and I can almost hear the echoes of James Van Der Beek and Katie Holmes in Julie and Ray.
2025 marks the resurgence of the “I Know What You Did Last Summer” universe with a fresh sequel. Some beloved characters might make a comeback, including Freddie Prinze Jr., which has many eagerly anticipating this upcoming film. Yet, I am not among those who are thrilled about it.
I Know What You Did Last Summer has always been one of my least favorite Kevin Williamson projects. I just didn’t enjoy it like the Scream films and my beloved Dawson’s Creek. I have been a devoted Williamson fan for decades and have seen almost all of his film and TV projects, so, I truly mean this when I say I did not like I Know What You Did Last Summer.
Despite having watched the movie and its sequel multiple times before, I chose to revisit it recently. Perhaps watching it again would offer a fresh perspective on this slasher film. After re-watching I Know What You Did Last Summer, my opinion of it has changed somewhat. Although it remains one of Williamson’s projects I like least, I found myself enjoying it more this time around. Rewatching the movie also helped me develop new insights and validate some of my initial thoughts. Let’s talk about it!
Warning I Know What You Did Last Summer Spoilers are ahead.
I Still Think Helen Should Have Survived I Know What You Did Last Summer
Helen’s (Sarah Michelle Gellar) death has always been my main issue with I Know What You Did Last Summer. She fought so hard to survive but still died. Why couldn’t she just keep running into the crowd!? That decision still haunts me.
Some viewers of the film believe that her death is one of the most memorable in horror cinema due to the struggle for survival. While I can appreciate this viewpoint, her on-screen demise is particularly poignant and touches my heart.
If a character in a horror movie puts forth such a tremendous effort to survive, it seems unfair that they ultimately meet their end. It’s frustrating when we see other characters barely fight and yet live on. Granted, I Know What You Did Last Summer is a horror film, so deaths are expected, but this particular death left me feeling disgruntled. The plot choice of having Helen die didn’t sit well with me. It would have been more satisfying if she had managed to survive.
The Kids Deserve Ben’s Revenge
Re-watching the movie “I Know What You Did Last Summer” made me realize how unlikeable the main four characters were, yet their eventual fates felt more justifiable. Although no one deserves to die, it’s easier to accept when the victims are unlikable in horror films. These four certainly had it coming. Let’s not forget that they abandoned a man to his fate.
In a different phrasing: Character Ben, portrayed by Muse Watson, exhibits a significant level of wickedness. He took the life of his daughter’s boyfriend due to a perceived blame for an accident, and later killed multiple children after they accidentally struck him with a vehicle. Despite this, I found myself sympathizing somewhat with Ben as he seemed to be imparting a harsh but necessary lesson to those involved. Regrettably, the lesson failed to resonate, yet his determination is commendable.
Ray Should Have Been The Killer In I Know What You Did Last Summer
Julie and Helen appear to be the ones experiencing deep regret, yet it’s apparent that Ray (Freddie Prinze Jr.) also harbors guilt. This is likely why he went to check on Missy (Anne Heche). However, there could be an additional motive: he might have been trying to conceal his actions by ensuring no one found out about his role in nearly causing a man’s death since he was the driver. Given that he was behind the wheel, Ray seems to carry the most responsibility for the incident.
If Ray had been revealed as the true killer in “I Know What You Did Last Summer”, it could have added a more intense and unexpected element to the story. While the boyfriend-as-killer twist is common in horror films, this change might have increased the tension and suspense, making the plot stand out more distinctly.
Essentially, it’s intriguing to consider an alternate scenario where Ray, rather than just a suspect, was secretly the victim’s friend and took revenge out of despair. This twist could have added a thrilling layer to the incident, making it more surprising and suspenseful than the initial assumption that Ray was the killer. Instead, Ben being the killer feels somewhat predictable or underwhelming.
Julie Is Still Not One Of My Favorite Final Girls
I love a good final girl because they help carry a horror movie franchise. Some of the best horror movie franchises are built because of their excellent villains and their final girl foes. Julie as the final girl is another main reason I never cared about I Know What You Did Last Summer. I just didn’t enjoy her character.
I haven’t watched “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer” recently, but I recall Julie being a somewhat enhanced final girl in this movie. Yet, it wasn’t enough to make me root for her as enthusiastically as I have for other horror film final girls, like Sydney (Neve Campbell), Laurie (Jamie Lee Curtis), Tree (Jessica Rothe), and several others that I admire deeply.
While Hewitt delivers a convincing performance as Julie, I’ve never developed a strong connection to her character as the lead. Her persona didn’t compel me to revisit her story repeatedly. However, it seems that I Know What You Did Last Summer 3 necessitates Julie’s presence. Despite my personal preferences, she is the recognizable figure of the franchise.
I’ve Gained An Appreciation For The Signature Kevin Williamson Elements
It wasn’t until I rewatched it that I realized how similar the atmosphere of “I Know What You Did Last Summer” feels to a precursor of “Dawson’s Creek.” Both series draw heavily on the picturesque river towns of North Carolina for their settings. Specifically, “I Know What You Did Last Summer” is set in Southport, NC, while the first four seasons of “Dawson’s Creek” were filmed in Wilmington, NC.
It’s possible that Williamson’s upbringing in North Carolina played a role in his project ideas. Furthermore, there is a location called Dawson’s Beach in the movie “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” Given this, it’s plausible that he was already imagining “Dawson’s Creek” during film development. The dialogue sometimes appears overly elaborate and dramatic for typical teenage conversations.
In a resemblance reminiscent of Dawson (James Van Der Beek) and Joey (Katie Holmes), the dialogues between Julie and Ray seem familiar, almost as if they were early models of these characters. Julie, in particular, bears a likeness to a less vivacious version of Joey. As for Helen and Jen (Michelle Williams) and Barry and Pacey (Joshua Jackson), there are noticeable similarities among them all.
It seems unlikely that these resemblances are deliberate, rather they appear as distinctive marks of Williamson’s unique style when writing teenage characters.
The Many Other Horror Movies And Pop Culture References
The movie “I Know What You Did Last Summer” doesn’t rely heavily on current references like “Scream”, but it does include some pop culture nods, such as “Murder She Wrote” and “The Silence of the Lambs”. It also acknowledges and emulates some classic horror films, including “Psycho”, “Friday the 13th”, “Halloween”, and “When A Stranger Calls”.
The movie “Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer” showcases Williamson’s affection and admiration for the genre, which is evident in his faithful tribute to it through this film.
The Film Perfectly Captures The Era
The movie “I Know What You Did Last Summer” carries a distinctly ’90s vibe. It’s clear when it was set, as it captures many appealing elements from the best movies of that era. From fashion and slang to even the over-the-top drama of a bad haircut, all are evident in “I Know What You Did Last Summer”.
It takes you right back to that era in the best way.
I Appreciate The Ending Of I Know What You Did Last Summer
I greatly enjoy the thrill of classic horror films like “Halloween”, as some of them conclude with suspenseful cliffhangers. This means that the antagonist remains alive, hinting at a possible return in future instalments. Furthermore, the protagonists may find it challenging to attain tranquility since they either face imminent death or continue to be haunted by the killer in subsequent movies.
The film “I Know What You Did Last Summer” concludes with an unsettling suspense: Julie continues to be haunted by the figure known as The Fisherman. This serves as a final, nostalgic tribute to the horror genre, making for a fitting conclusion to the movie.
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2024-10-29 16:11