By: Jamie Steinberg
Remakes are the new trend in the Hollywood film industry and, thus, here we are with a new iteration of I Know What You Did Last Summer. Returning to the franchise are veteran stars Freddie Prinze, Jr. and Jennifer Love Hewitt who are joined by a cast of newly minted popular acting additions. We pick up with a modern version of what happened the original fateful night; however, this version lacks the hook that brought us to the theater in the same way as the original.
On July 4th in the small town of Southport, Ava (Chase Sui Wonders) and five friends are in a hit and run thanks to Teddy (Tyriq Withers) acting up behind the wheel. Rather than reporting the incident, they cover it up. Thus Ava, her bestie Danica (Madelyn Cline), past crush Milo (Jonah Hauer-King), former friend Stevie (Sarah Pidgeon) and Danica’s fiance Teddy find themselves at the mercy of the man in the fisherman’s coat holding the hook. To help save herself and her friends, Ava seeks out those who have been in this scary situation before – Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and Ray Bronson (Freddie Prinze, Jr.). It seems these two got married and are now going through an ugly divorce, which is what has brought Ray back to Southport – newly made over to erase the town’s darker history thanks to businessman Grant Spencer (Billy Campbell).
Writers Sam Lansky and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (also directing) have more of a focus on those who choose to sweep their bad actions under the rug with a hint of small town corruption and those with privilege. That is highlighted in the form of a podcast called “Live Laugh Slaughter,” yet that angle seems to fade quickly. Additionally, Julie’s trauma appears to be simmering on the edge of her psyche – still lingering from her past experiences with the man with the hook – but that’s where it stays. There was a chance to highlight how some scars never truly heal, but this is glossed over. The sole standout to the film are the acting chops of Wonders who delivers a great performance as Ava.
WIth the latest iteration of I Know What You Did Last Summer it makes viewers miss the horror days of yore. With too many Generation Alpha phrases and not enough of a nod to the originality of the OG, this version of a fan favorite film franchise is lackluster. The 2025 film of I Know What You Did Last Summer has all of the gore of its predecessor and none of its must see movie making.