I Know What You Did Last Summer

I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) Review | Cast, Story, Ratings & Audience Reaction

I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) revives a beloved 90s slasher franchise, this time as a legacy sequel directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson. Released on July 18, 2025, the film brings a new generation face to face with the iconic Fisherman while reuniting original stars Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. What sets this installment apart is its self-aware blend of horror, nostalgia, and fresh characters, delivering a slasher that nods to the past while trying to stake its own claim in modern horror. In a crowded summer release slate, I Know What You Did Last Summer stands out as a bold attempt at bridging eras in horror with wit, gore, and legacy love.

Movie Overview

Set 27 years after the Tower Bay murders, I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) follows five friends who accidentally cause a fatal car accident and agree to stay silent. One year later, the Fisherman returns to haunt them in Southport, North Carolina.

Madelyn Cline leads as Danica Richards, joined by Chase Sui Wonders as Ava, Jonah Hauer-King as Milo, Tyriq Withers as Teddy, and Sarah Pidgeon as Stevie. Legacy stars Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. reprise Julie James and Ray Bronson, providing continuity and gravitas. Directed and co-written by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, with screenplay by Sam Lansky, this Columbia Pictures and Original Film production runs 111 minutes.

Plot Summary

The film opens at Danica’s bridal event, where the group’s carefree reunion masks a grim secret: a fatal accident and complicity. A year later, anonymous threats escalate, and they call in survivors Julie and Ray for help. What unfolds is a cat-and-mouse chase with brutal attacks, surreal dream sequences including a haunting cameo by Sarah Michelle Gellar, and an ending that sets up potential new chapters.

Cast and Performances

Madelyn Cline shines as Danica, the vibrant and fearless center of the new cast, balancing humor and tension with charisma. Chase Sui Wonders brings grounded emotion as Ava, and Tyriq Withers and Jonah Hauer-King offer solid support as Teddy and Milo.

Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. return with genuine sincerity, adding nostalgic weight and believable mentor presence. Sarah Michelle Gellar’s surprise cameo as Helen is a brief, eerie highlight that feels symbolic and emotionally stirring.

Direction and Cinematography

Jennifer Kaytin Robinson directs with playful reverence, skillfully balancing self-awareness and genuine thriller energy. Her narrative includes dreamlike sequences and legacy callbacks that feel lovingly crafted rather than forced. Elisha Christian’s cinematography enhances the moody atmosphere, giving familiar locales an eerily cinematic sheen.

Themes and Style

Thematically, the film explores guilt, trauma, and the inescapable grip of the past while mixing in comedic, campy moments. It leans into nostalgia without relying solely on it, blending horror with wry commentary on beauty culture and legacy horror tropes. The return of original characters underscores how trauma reverberates across generations.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

• Strong newcomer lead in Madelyn Cline with electrifying screen presence

• Effective blending of humor, nostalgia, and heartfelt legacy moments

• Memorable cameos and a credits scene that reward longtime fans

Weaknesses:

• Mixed critical reception, with some finding it slow or forgettable

• The killer reveal and logic received criticism for feeling underwhelming

• Pacing issues and occasional tonal imbalance noted

Audience and Critical Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds around a 37 percent Tomatometer with a 68 percent audience score, suggesting a divide between critics and viewers. IMDb and Reddit user threads reflect similar sentiments: some praise the nostalgic and fun elements, while others lament weak writing or character development.

Critics are split. Some outlets call it the best I Know What You Did Last Summer ever, highlighting clever homage and wit. Others describe it as surprisingly enjoyable with engaging chemistry. Conversely, harsher reviews label it forgettable and shallow, pointing out pacing flaws and logical missteps.

Ratings

Final Verdict

I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) is a bold legacy sequel that does not pretend to reinvent the wheel, but it understands the value of nostalgia and fresh energy. With strong lead performances, playful direction, and just enough nods to the original, it delivers a fun, messy, and affectionate addition to the slasher canon. Fans and newcomers alike may find themselves entertained, even if certain twists feel uneven.

Tags: I Know What You Did Last Summer Movie Review, I Know What You Did Last Summer Cast, I Know What You Did Last Summer Box Office Collection, I Know What You Did Last Summer Review.