The latest “I Know What You Did Last Summer” movie attempts to revive the classic slasher franchise but largely fails to escape the shadows of its past, delivering a predictable and uninspired sequel.
A Familiar Return to Southport
After a nearly three-decade hiatus and a few direct-to-video attempts, the “I Know What You Did Last Summer” saga is back. This time, the action returns to Southport, the fateful setting where it all began 28 years prior. The premise is as familiar as ever: a new group of stylishly groomed teenagers finds themselves entangled in a deadly secret after a road incident turns fatal.
The film quickly introduces the ill-fated group, setting the stage for a series of predictable and often underwhelming encounters with the mysterious assailant. It rehashes the core concept of a slasher with an unseen killer seeking revenge.
Old Faces, New Problems
For fans of the original films, there’s a touch of nostalgia as Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jennifer Love Hewitt briefly reprise their roles. They appear as the now-wizened survivors, offering their seasoned — albeit largely ineffective — advice to the new generation of victims. Sarah Michelle Gellar also makes a quick cameo, though her presence is fleeting.
Despite the star power of the original cast, their roles are minimal, serving mostly as a nod to the franchise’s past. The killer, true to form, remains a relentless, faceless force, wielding a hook without mercy or clear discernment.
Stuck in the Past, Despite New Twists
The new ensemble cast, including Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Jonah Hauer-King, Tyriq Withers, and Sarah Pidgeon, are given little room to shine. Their characters are largely one-dimensional, designed more as fodder for the killer than as compelling individuals. The film’s logic often takes a back seat, leaving little room for genuine suspense or character development.
While the movie tries to inject some modern elements, such as references to new-age therapy and a “claircognizant empath,” these additions don’t significantly elevate the plot. There’s also an intriguing true crime podcaster character, determined to unearth the details of the 1997 killings, whose pursuit of forbidden territory hints at a more interesting narrative than the main plot delivers.
Ultimately, the film struggles to innovate. The killer, described as having “not improvised in nearly 30 summers,” relies on the same old tricks, leading to fights where victims often get away. The movie never quite reaches the chilling intensity of the original’s most blood-curdling moments.
- The film is a predictable slasher sequel, failing to innovate on the original premise.
- Original cast members (Freddie Prinze Jr., Jennifer Love Hewitt) have brief, largely inconsequential cameos.
- The new cast is underutilized, serving mostly as typical slasher victims.
- Despite attempts at modern twists, the killer’s tactics and the overall plot feel dated and repetitive.
- The movie struggles with logical consistency and lacks genuine suspense.
This latest installment in the “I Know What You Did Last Summer” franchise proves that some secrets are best left buried, especially when they can’t evolve with the times.
