In a year packed with horror reboots and sequels, I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) slashes its way back into cinemas, banking on ‘90s nostalgia and a modern Gen Z twist. Serving as the fourth installment in the long-running slasher franchise, this 2025 release is a direct sequel to I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, bringing the story full circle while introducing a new generation of doomed characters. With the return of franchise veterans Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr., the film attempts to bridge the old and the new.
But does it live up to its chilling roots, or is it just another hollow legacy sequel? Let’s explore this spoiler-free I Know What You Did Last Summer 2025 movie review.
Rating: ⭐⭐ (2/5 stars)
Genre: Suspense-Horror-Slasher
Release Date, Director, and Cast
- Cast: Madelyn Cline, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Freddie Prinze Jr., Chase Sui Wonders, Jonah Hauer-King, Tyriq Withers, Sarah Pidgeon, Billy Campbell, Gabbriette Bechtel, Austin Nichols
- Director: Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
- Release Date: 18 July 2025
- Language: English
A Look Back: The 1997 Classic That Started It All
Before dissecting the new film, it’s worth revisiting the slasher that started it all—I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997). Directed by Jim Gillespie and penned by Kevin Williamson (of Scream fame), the film followed four teenagers who commit a hit-and-run and cover up the crime. A year later, they begin receiving ominous messages:
“I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER.”
The original starred horror icons of the time- Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, and Freddie Prinze Jr. It was gritty, tense, and stylishly shot, contributing to the teen-slasher boom of the late 1990s. Its success led to two sequels: I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998) and I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006).
In 2025, the filmmakers clearly pay homage to this legacy. From dream sequences featuring past characters to audio cues and mirrored shots, the new movie leans hard into fan nostalgia
Plot of I Know What You Did Last Summer 2025 movie
The 2025 reboot-slash-sequel begins with a new cast of characters—Ava (Madelyn Cline), Cameron (Tyriq Withers), Zoey (Chase Sui Wonders), and others—fresh out of high school and celebrating their last summer together in a sleepy coastal town. One night, a reckless decision leads to a tragic accident, and the group agrees to cover it up.
One year later, they receive a message that fans of the franchise know all too well:
“I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER.”
The central mystery kicks in quickly. A masked killer begins stalking the group, echoing the events of the original 1997 film. As the bodies pile up and paranoia sets in, Ava seeks out the only person who survived something similar- Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt).
From here, the film splits its focus between the unraveling of the new cast’s secrets and the legacy characters returning to finish what they thought was long buried.
Performances
Madelyn Cline as Ava: Cline delivers the standout performance of the film. She navigates vulnerability, guilt, and strength with impressive range. Her character feels emotionally grounded—unlike many scream queens of the past, she isn’t just reacting to horror but wrestling with real, moral conflict.
Jennifer Love Hewitt as Julie James: Jennifer Love Hewitt returns with gravitas. Decades of trauma have clearly shaped her character, and the film effectively shows how the past continues to haunt her. Though underused, every moment she’s on screen brings emotional weight and connection to the original film.
Freddie Prinze Jr. as Ray Bronson: Ray’s return is subtle yet important. His arc is more complex than expected (without spoiling key twists), and his chemistry with Hewitt still works even decades later. That said, he could’ve benefitted from more screen time.
Supporting Cast: The Gen Z ensemble adds modern charisma but lacks depth in some areas. Chase Sui Wonders and Froy Gutierrez have fun with their roles, but only a few side characters are given proper development. This weakens the emotional impact when their fates are decided.
Direction & Cinematography
Jennifer Kaytin Robinson’s direction is slick, modern, and visually engaging. Coastal cliffs, fog-drenched docks, and shadowy motels are gorgeously shot, giving the film a distinct visual style that feels more refined than your average slasher.
She tries to balance tones- emotional trauma, teen drama, campy horror, but not always successfully. Some scenes lean too hard into Riverdale-style soapiness, while others go full Scream-style brutality without cohesion.
Still, the kills are stylishly staged and brutal enough to satisfy horror fans, and the Fisherman is as terrifying as ever with some upgraded costume design.
Kill Sequences & Horror Elements
This is where the film shines. The death scenes are more brutal and creative than anything in the 1997 film. Without spoiling specifics:
- One kill in a seafood factory involving a hook and an ice machine is truly chilling.
- A beachside stalk scene at night echoes the original film’s pacing but adds a modern twist.
- The final showdown is bloody, frantic, and emotionally charged.
The Fisherman killer is menacing and relentless- less supernatural, more human and brutal- which works in this grounded setting.
Weaknesses & Missed Opportunities
- Predictable Twists: The killer reveal isn’t as shocking as the filmmakers intended. With some sharp viewers guessing it by the midpoint, it lacks suspense in the second act.
- Underdeveloped Characters: Outside of Ava, most new characters feel like cannon fodder, making it hard to care about who lives or dies.
- Legacy Characters Underused: Julie and Ray should’ve been more central to the resolution. Their arcs are emotional but are sidelined in favor of the newer cast.
Comparison to the Original (1997)
| Element | 1997 Version | 2025 Version |
|---|---|---|
| Tone | Classic teen slasher | Modern, moody horror-drama |
| Killer | Fisherman, unknown | Fisherman redux with new motivations |
| Protagonist | Julie James | Ava (with Julie as mentor) |
| Kills | Minimal but iconic | More graphic and elaborate |
| Strength | Simplicity, suspense | Visuals, intensity, callbacks |
| Weakness | Campy dialogue | Uneven script, too many characters |
Box Office Collection Report
I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) had a decent theatrical start. It earned $2.2 million from Thursday previews and was projected to pull in $12–17 million in its opening weekend across the U.S. With a modest production budget of $18 million, it’s on track to become financially successful, especially after international releases and potential streaming deals.
While not a record-breaker, these numbers are strong for a slasher sequel and prove there’s still a market for legacy horror when done right.
OTT Release Date and Streaming Details
While I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) made a decent mark at the box office, many fans are now waiting to stream the film from the comfort of their homes. As of now, there is no official OTT release date confirmed by Sony Pictures, but based on typical theatrical-to-streaming timelines, the movie is expected to hit streaming platforms by late September or early October 2025.
Industry insiders suggest that the film will likely debut on Amazon Prime Video, given its past association with the franchise and slasher series. However, this is still speculative, and an official announcement is expected after the film completes its 6–8 week theatrical run.
So, if you’re skipping the cinemas, stay tuned for updates about the digital release- it may be just in time for your Halloween binge list.
A Fun But Flawed Return
I Know What You Did Last Summer 2025 is a visually engaging, nostalgic slasher revival that does just enough to justify its existence. While its predictable plot and shallow side characters hold it back from greatness, it succeeds in reintroducing the franchise to a new generation.
As noted in this I Know What You Did Last Summer 2025 movie review, the reboot delivers style and blood-soaked tension, but could’ve elevated itself with tighter writing and stronger emotional stakes. It’s a decent horror flick that both honors and haunts the legacy of the original.
Stylish, bloody, and emotionally charged, but it could’ve been sharper with better writing and more legacy payoff.
FAQs
1. Is I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) a sequel or a reboot?
A: It’s a legacy sequel—a continuation of the original timeline that brings back past characters while introducing a new generation.
2. Do Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. have major roles?
A: They appear in important scenes, but the spotlight largely falls on the new cast, especially Madelyn Cline.
3. Is the original 1997 movie connected to this one?
A: Yes. The 2025 version references the original heavily, with callbacks, timeline connections, and returning characters.
4. Is this movie scary or just gory?
A: It leans more into slasher gore than psychological horror. Expect bloody kills rather than suspense-driven terror.
5. Will there be a sequel?
A: The post-credits scene hints at a possible continuation, especially with certain unresolved character arcs.
6. What is the run time of I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) movie?
A: 1 hour and 51 minutes
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