Review: I Know What You Did Last Summer Is the Legacy Sequel You’ve Been Waiting For

Horror franchises are what dreams are made of especially ones that were released in the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s.

While the Scream requels haven’t really been my cup of tea, they have proven that the franchise has not only stood the test of time, but that a new whole generation is invested in the story and characters. I bring up Scream not to compare the two franchises directly, but because, alongside I Know What You Did Last Summer, it was one of the most iconic and influential horror films of the ’90s. As someone who grew up in that era, these movies were a huge part of my teenage years and helped shape my love and passion for the horror genre.

Jennifer Kaytin Robinson’s new iteration of I Know What You Did Last Summer does the franchise proud. It pays homage to the original film while updating it in just the right ways to resonate with today’s audience. Much of the film’s structure feels familiar i.e. the setup is largely the same, and the new characters mirror their 1997 counterparts.

The film however, does make some key changes, particularly with living in a world with technology. This topic needed to be added given that the original was released prior to cell phones and when the Internet was just becoming popular. There is also a subplot, which without giving too much away, involves a podcaster. This addition to the story will very likely appeal to a younger audience while helping to ensure that the story feels more in line with today’s world.

As for the fisherman, he is back and even more brutal than you might remember. He goes on a full-blown killing spree in the film with some truly bloody and badass kill sequences that horror fans are going to eat up. Who would have thought that a person in a fisherman jacket would ultimately become a horror icon.

Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Jonah Hauer-King, Tyriq Withers, and Sarah Pidgeon are all solid in their respective roles. With the exception of Pidgeon’s character, the four others are essentially modernized versions of the original foursome. Chase Sui Wonders stands out as Ava, the new generation’s Julie James, while Madelyn Cline’s Danica Richards is clearly having a blast channeling a reinvented Helen Shivers. Jonah Hauer-King (Milo) and Tyriq Withers (Teddy) bring the 2025 equivalents of Ray and Barry to life.

Sarah Pidgeon, however, is the MVP of the new cast. Her character, Stevie, isn’t modeled after anyone from the original film, even though at first, I thought she might be a gender-swapped Max. But luckily, she’s an entirely new character whose relationship with Danica is a highlight as it plays such an important role in shaping this story.

Seeing Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jennifer Love Hewitt reprise the roles that launched their careers is something I never thought I’d see. Thankfully, the film handles their return with such love and care. Rather than placing them at the center of the story, they serve as supporting characters who help move the plot forward. It’s clear that Julie and Ray are no longer the same people they once were. Writers Jennifer Kaytin Robinson and Sam Lansky thoughtfully explore the trauma these characters have endured and how it has shaped their lives today. Jennifer Love Hewitt, in particular, delivers a powerful and deeply authentic performance as Julie James. This is a woman who was silenced and forced to live with the haunting aftermath of what happened nearly three decades ago.

It’s clear that Jennifer Kaytin Robinson is a massive fan of the franchise. Her passion shines through in the storytelling, the character development, and the tone of the film. She’s not just revisiting this world but rather reinventing it for the next generation. Robinson takes big swings, especially in the final act. The twist ending will undoubtedly divide audiences, but for me, it worked. It was a bold decision that made sense for the story, and I appreciate the risk that Robinson takes even if not everyone will like the direction the film goes in.

I Know What You Did Last Summer is the legacy sequel you’ve been waiting for. A film that doesn’t rely solely on nostalgia or the return of its original cast. Instead, the writers and cast build something new while also honoring what came before. It’s fresh, fun, and full of surprises, which is exactly what a modern horror sequel should be. After a string of so many disappointments this year, I’m so excited to share that this one delivers. I Know What You Did Last Summer is my favorite film of the summer so far.

Grade: 8/10