I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER 🤩

I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER (2025) isn’t exactly a reboot, nor is it a remake. Borrowing the premise, titular killer, and some continuation and characters from the iconic 1997 original slasher, this new version introduces a distinct cast of protagonists, fresh humor, and a killer soundtrack. This Frankenstein-esque approach to revival is, perhaps, what makes the film most entertaining.

Part of the charm of the original was the friendship between Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and Helen Shivers (Sarah Michelle Gellar), a friendship forged by hook and blade. One of my favorite elements of I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER (2025) is that it preserves this central friendship between Ava Brucks (Chase Sui Wonders) and Danica Richards (Madelyn Cline). Their scene-stealing performances bring heart and soul to an otherwise forgettable main cast. Wonders, in particular, continues to prove herself a powerhouse in both horror and comedy, following her defining roles in GENERATION, BODIES BODIES BODIES, and THE STUDIO.

The production design of Southport, the eerie small town-by-the-sea that returns as the setting, is another highlight. It is a smart take on how the original town might look today, and how it might have been shaped by the 1997 murders. This atmosphere is elevated by a wonderful soundtrack featuring Renée Rapp, The Marías, and Addison Rae, whose chaotic pop sound marries perfectly with the hectic energy of a slasher. 

Although the killer’s design remains identical to the original’s, a missed opportunity for reinvention or update like Scream 6 did so well, the mystery itself is different and twisty enough to hold interest. It doesn’t include quite enough clues for the audience to play detective, but it still delivers suspense and a shocking, if not entirely satisfying, ending.

I’d recommend watching the original before this one, if only to catch all the nods and odes to it. In that context, the references that writer-director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson weaves in feel less like nostalgia-bait and more like a genuine appreciation and sign of respect for longtime fans.

Anytime a classic like this is “modernized,” backlash is inevitable. But as a Gen-Z fan of the original, I think I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER (2025) does a satisfying job reviving the playful horror of its eponymous predecessor.

It is funny without being cringey. It is unsettling without being too dark. It understands the unserious, campy nature of the original while keeping its emotional core intact.

Ultimately, the goal of introducing a new generation to the Southport legacy is achieved. I left the film itching to rewatch the original, and then its cheekily titled sequels, I STILL KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER and I’LL ALWAYS KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER.

Experience the thrills of a new (and improved?) Southport now on Netflix.