
'I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025)' Review: Trip Down Memory Lane That Delivers On The Horror
Much like the original 1997 film, 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' 2025 follows another group of friends who are caught up in an accident, resulting in the death of a stranger. After failing to save the stranger, the group of friends form a pact to never speak of what happened again to avoid the consequences. Yet, despite this, their actions come back to haunt them a year later and they are now chased by the legendary serial killer, or at least an imitation of them. Realising this, the friends seek help from the two survivors of the original Southport Massacre of 1997.
Similar to how it revisits Southport after all these years, the film recreates a lot of the things we loved about the original. From the air of mystery that the OG is well known for, to the campy vibes it had all those years ago – this movie is an absolute treat for dedicated fans of the franchise (which includes 'I Still Know What You Did Last Summer' and 'I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer'), but also serves as a nice starting-off point for those new to the series. If you are in the former camp, however, you will be incredibly rewarded for watching the previous entry, as there are tonnes of references for you to spot, and you might make your movie experience more enjoyable.
The film kicks us off by introducing a tight group of friends who have essentially known each other for their entire lives – and are the central focus throughout its 1 hour and 51 minute runtime. Oftentimes, legacy sequels find it quite hard to break away from their predecessor's shadow and it makes sense. Rather than running away from it or disregarding it, 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' (2025) doubles down and embraces it by reinventing itself just enough for it to still be refreshing, with enough similarities to make it still feel familiar. A key reason for this is the return of Prinze Jr. and Love Hewitt as Ray Bronson and Julie James, respectively, which creates a sense of continuity without making them the centre of attention.
One of the major positives of this movie is that it finds a way to bring the original cast back without making it feel like they are shoehorned in for the sake of nostalgia — they are an actual force in the story that actually progresses the plot. Of course, having had their time in the spotlight, Prinze Jr. and Love Hewitt take a step back to welcome the next generation of Southport residents. They support the main cast, which comprises Cline, Sui Wonders, Hauer-King, Withers and Pidgeon. As mentioned earlier, they create a convincing and realistic upper-class friend group that hooks you in so that you actually want them to survive this ordeal. They alone create a convincing sequel for the film as is, but with the reprisal of the original cast, it feels like it's a passing-of-a-torch moment that you have to see if you're a fan.
Furthermore, when it comes to slashers, a lot of characters are randomly introduced to fill up the body count. Sometimes, there are instances of just being at the wrong place at the wrong time, and you can say the same for the previous entries. But 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' (2025) feels more intimate and personal, as the kills focus more on the people that are close to the main cast instead of some passersby. Because of this, we get to know the cast far better, making it far more thrilling when the serial killer comes knocking down their door and gives the newer cast more story importance than the recurring ones.
However, the film is not perfect. One of the glaring faults is its story, particularly the ending. As the tale homes in on its conclusion, we are left wondering who is the man behind the slicker outfit? Though the crew do their best to unravel the killer's identity, they never really do a good job compared to the original. Sure, there are hints, and it makes sense in the end, but they never seem significant enough, so much so that the big reveal feels forced and leaves us scratching our heads. To say this is a major blow — for a horror/mystery no less — would be a massive understatement. Additionally, the ending itself is also extremely contrived, as if the filmmakers are forcing a certain ending to occur rather than letting it happen naturally.
Another painful issue is that many argue that this entry is not as campy as its predecessor and therefore hurts the film in some way. You can make the argument that the original film was not made with the intention of being campy, but the fact that it was is what made it so iconic. Sure, the tone is far darker now, but it is also a prime candidate for the injection of some dark humour into the mix, which would have elevated it to being more than just a regular entry/continuation. This is mildly offset by the fact that the characters display massive amounts of character development that only the past entries could dream of. If there's a follow-up to this franchise, we just hope it takes all the best aspects of its predecessors and uses them to create a thriller we won't soon forget.
'I Know What You Did Last Summer' is a refreshing yet familiar return to Southport, complete with a brand new cast of characters with the same old killer. This refreshing entry sees it reimagining the franchise for younger fans while maintaining familiarity for more seasoned ones, and it does so with flying colours! However, it falters painfully at the end by not providing enough evidence to make the big reveal more convincing, while the conclusion itself feels extremely forced. Despite it all, it's still an enjoyable film that deserves your attention.
'I Know What You Did Last Summer' is now in theatres.
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New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' returns, but the hook feels blunt
THE familiar chilling melody of 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' echoes once more on the big screen, as the 2025 iteration of the iconic slasher franchise attempts to reignite the terrifying tale of a deadly secret. However, while it serves up a generous platter of nostalgia and ample gore, this latest cinematic offering from Sony Pictures struggles to carve out its own identity, ultimately feeling more like a rehashed effort than a fresh scare. For those who grew up with the 1997 original, the premise is as familiar as a forgotten summer crush: a group of high schoolers, high on youthful recklessness, commit a grave error, dispose of the evidence, and then find themselves haunted by a hook-wielding killer a year later. This new film faithfully recreates that backbone, aiming for a legacy sequel status that directly follows the first two installments, conveniently sidestepping the forgettable third. The film makes an earnest attempt to modernise the narrative, injecting elements of class commentary and true-crime podcast vibes. Yet, these promising avenues often lead to dead ends, leaving the storyline feeling inconsistent and, at times, downright illogical. One can't help but feel a missed opportunity here to truly delve into contemporary anxieties, rather than simply grafting them onto an archaic framework. On the acting front, the new blood, including the likes of Madelyn Cline and Chase Sui Wonders, deliver passable performances. Cline, in particular, shows flashes of engaging comic timing, but the ensemble largely struggles to leave a lasting impression, their characters often as thinly sketched as the film's own plot. Where the film truly finds its footing, ironically, is in the return of its seasoned veterans. Freddie Prinze Jr. reprises his role as Ray Bronson with a newfound gravitas, portraying a character burdened by the past with a palpable "brittle bitterness". He's a more compelling presence here than in his earlier outings, adding a much-needed layer of weary depth. Jennifer Love Hewitt's return as Julie James, while welcome, is unfortunately a more passive affair; her character seemingly sidelined by the narrative's focus on the new generation. For fans, the cameos are certainly a draw, with Sarah Michelle Gellar making an appearance and, notably, Brandy Norwood's return as Karla Wilson in a tantalising mid-credits scene. This particular moment is sure to spark discussions and hopes for future instalments, suggesting that the franchise might have more tricks up its sleeve. In terms of pacing, it's a mixed bag. Some might find the horror set-pieces arriving in rapid succession, maintaining a certain momentum, while others might experience a slog despite the relatively swift 111-minute runtime. The film certainly doesn't shy away from gore, delivering blood-soaked splatter and grisly kills that are arguably more graphic than its predecessors. However, the increased viscera doesn't necessarily translate into increased fear. Jump scares are often telegraphed, and the genuine tension that made the original so effective is largely absent. What starts as potentially gory fun often devolves into something disturbing without truly being entertaining. So, is this latest 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' worth the price of a cinema ticket? For the casual moviegoer, probably not. It's a film that leans heavily on the nostalgia of a bygone era but fails to innovate or truly terrify. It's the kind of slasher flick that might be better enjoyed from the comfort of your couch, if curiosity truly gets the better of you. However, for the die-hard fans of the franchise, particularly those eager to see the original cast members back in action and revel in the sheer audacity of its blood-soaked moments, it might offer just enough familiar thrills to make it a worthwhile, albeit forgettable, trip down memory lane. Just don't expect it to hook you like it used to. NOW SHOWING I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER Durarion: 111 mins Classification: 16


Malay Mail
19 hours ago
- Malay Mail
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The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
Superman dominates N. American box office again, crosses $400M
LOS ANGELES: The Man of Steel continues his box office reign as 'Superman' secures the top spot in North America for the second consecutive week, crossing the $400 million milestone worldwide. Industry estimates confirm the Warner Bros and DC Studios blockbuster earned $57.3 million domestically, bringing its total to $235 million in the U.S. and Canada and $406 million globally. 'Jurassic World: Rebirth' held steady in second place with $23.4 million, pushing its worldwide earnings to $647.2 million. The Universal film, featuring Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali, explores an abandoned research facility teeming with genetically altered dinosaurs. The weekend's new release, 'I Know What You Did Last Summer,' debuted weakly at $13 million, failing to revive the 90s slasher franchise despite the return of original stars Freddie Prinze Jr and Jennifer Love Hewitt. Industry analyst David A. Gross noted, 'Generally, the layoffs don't bother these films; in fact, they get stronger... that's not happening here.' Meanwhile, 'Smurfs' opened to a modest $11 million, while Brad Pitt's 'F1: The Movie' rounded out the top five with $9.6 million. Gross highlighted the diverse lineup, stating, 'The current lineup in theaters is strong, with a broad selection of big titles including superheroes, action, monsters, horror and animation.' Marvel's 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps,' starring Pedro Pascal, is set to challenge 'Superman' soon. Other films in the top 10 included 'How to Train Your Dragon' ($5.4M) and '28 Years Later' ($1.3M). - AFP