I Know What You Did Last Summer Movie Review: A slick and gory slasher sequel that mostly delivers and knows what it's doing

The plot is built on the same bones as the 1997 cult hit.

‘I Know What You Did Last Summer,’ directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, was released on 18th July in theatres and stars Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Jonah Hauer-King, Tyriq Withers, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Freddie Prinze Jr.

A slick return to familiar territory

Jennifer Kaytin Robinson’s ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ arrives as a polished, blood-spattered legacy sequel that updates the original while staying faithful to its DNA. It brings back familiar faces, introduces a younger and sharper new cast, and repackages the formula with style and swagger.

The film doesn’t chase reinvention—it knows the slasher genre thrives on atmosphere, suspense, and payoff—and leans into those with confidence. The outcome is a tense, occasionally clever, and entertaining horror film that understands what made the original tick and builds on it for a generation raised on social media and true-crime podcasts.

Secrets, summer, and a body count

The plot is built on the same bones as the 1997 cult hit. A year after five friends—Danica, Ava, Milo, Teddy, and Stevie—cover up a fatal accident, they begin receiving chilling messages from someone who knows their secret. One by one, they’re hunted by a killer, forcing them to confront what really happened that night. As the group unravels under pressure and fear, shocking betrayals come to light. Intertwined with this is the return of Julie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and Ray (Freddie Prinze Jr.), now older and burdened by years of trauma. Their past blends into the present, and the film smartly uses their history to deepen the stakes for the new generation. As the plot unfolds, red herrings are thrown around, motives questioned, and allegiances tested. The third act delivers a twist that’s both daring and divisive—likely to thrill some and frustrate others.

Style over depth

In terms of style, the film is striking. Robinson brings a visual clarity and rhythm to the chaos. The locations shimmer with summer gloss by day and bleed menace by night. Kill sequences are carefully choreographed—gruesome but not excessive—and the tension is often built through long, silent stretches before sudden bursts of violence. Sound design plays a crucial role, with unsettling silences broken by distant creaks or bloodcurdling screams.

While the film succeeds in keeping the viewer engaged, it doesn’t always hold up under close scrutiny. Certain plot points feel convenient, and the narrative occasionally rushes past moments that deserved more time to breathe. The social commentary—around wealth, power, and collective denial—is touched upon but never fully explored. Still, the momentum rarely dips, and the direction keeps the story unpredictable enough to maintain interest.

New blood shines; old faces ground it

Madelyn Cline as Danica leads the ensemble with a performance that adds dimension to her character—at once guarded, impulsive, and surprisingly vulnerable. Chase Sui Wonders as Ava is equally compelling, offering charisma and emotional sharpness in equal measure. Jonah Hauer-King in the role of Milo manages to bring nuance to a role that could have been reduced to a stereotype. There’s an easy chemistry among actors that adds authenticity to their scenes.

On the legacy front, Jennifer Love Hewitt returns with gravitas. Her portrayal of Julie carries a quiet intensity that hints at years of suppressed fear and guilt. Freddie Prinze Jr., while used more sparingly, adds presence and emotional depth. Their appearances go beyond nostalgia—they anchor the film and offer continuity in a story about repeating past mistakes.

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Thrills delivered

By the time the final credits roll, ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ has delivered on its central promise: a smartly updated, fast-paced slasher with just enough twists to keep the genre fresh. It may not fully realize all the ideas it lays on the table, and it may lean too heavily on style at times, but it knows what kind of movie it wants to be.

Horror fans looking for scares may find it a little light, but those in the mood for tension, gore, and a stylish spin on an old favourite will likely walk away satisfied. It’s stylish, entertaining, and hits most of the right notes for a modern slasher revival. Not perfect by any means—there are uneven tonal shifts and some missed thematic depth—but it knows its genre and delivers the thrills with flair.

Rating: 3.5/5