Sony Pictures
If you’re in the mood for a slasher that knows exactly what it is and doesn’t apologize for it, then I Know What You Did Last Summer is your perfect summer watch. As a legacy sequel, this film directly ties back to the original 1997 I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise — and yes, it brings all the nostalgic baggage along with it. But instead of just riding on legacy, it adds enough blood, banter, and brain-teasing mystery to make it feel fresh again.
There are three essential ingredients I think every great slasher — or whodunnit — needs. First, it has to offer an engaging mystery. Who is the killer? What’s their motive? And how long can they keep you guessing? This movie absolutely nails that. I was second-guessing myself constantly. I cycled through at least seven or eight possible suspects in my head. Even the people sitting around me in the theater were whispering different theories every five minutes. That kind of audience interactivity is a rare thing nowadays, and this movie clearly knows how to build it. It drops just enough clues and red herrings to keep you hooked (pun intended) without tipping its hand too early.
Second, a great slasher film needs to be funny and self-aware. Camp is part of the charm, and this franchise — like Scream — leans into it. I Know What You Did Last Summer isn’t afraid to poke fun at horror clichés and even throws in a hilarious AMC Nicole Kidman reference that had the entire theater erupting in laughter. It’s that level of genre-savvy humor that makes the movie feel fresh and fun, despite the familiar setup of teens being picked off one by one.
Sony Pictures
Third — and maybe most importantly — the kills. They need to be over-the-top, inventive, and toe-curlingly graphic. This movie ups the ante from its predecessors, delivering kills that are equal parts shocking and creative. You’ll wince, you’ll laugh, and you might even cheer a little when a particularly ridiculous death hits the screen. It’s definitely a notch above the original legacy sequel in terms of sheer entertainment.
That said, it’s not without its flaws. Like most slasher flicks, if you start thinking about the logic too much, you’ll drive yourself crazy. The characters constantly split up even though they know a killer is out there. There’s even a running joke in the film about how they should stay together, but of course, they don’t. It’s maddening — but also kind of expected.
What baffled me more, though, was the lack of self-defense. If people in your friend group are dying one by one, wouldn’t you at least try to arm yourself? A baseball bat? A kitchen knife? Something? One character even brags about hitting the gym so they’re not afraid — but like, wouldn’t a weapon be more useful than biceps against a guy with a massive hook? Come on now.
But again, you don’t go into a movie like this expecting airtight logic. You go in for a fun time, and that’s exactly what I Know What You Did Last Summer delivers. The acting isn’t Oscar-worthy, but it’s charming and gets the job done. The vibe is playful but tense. It’s the kind of movie you can watch with friends and debate who the killer is during the drive home.
So, is it perfect? No. But is it a damn good time? Absolutely. If you’re into slashers, horror-comedy, or just want something bloody and ridiculous to enjoy this summer, I Know What You Did Last Summer is well worth your time.
I Know What You Did Last Summer has a run time of 1 hour 51 minutes, and is rated R for bloody horror violence, language throughout, some sexual content and brief drug use.
I Know What You Did Last Summer Trailer
Sony Pictures