The 2025 reboot of I Know What You Did Last Summer promised a fresh take on a beloved slasher classic—but ultimately delivers a glossy yet hollow experience that fails to scare or truly engage. Despite strong production values and a recognizable cast, the film struggles with shallow characters, confusing plot choices, and a lack of emotional weight that made the original so memorable.
This version follows a group of estranged friends who reunite in their seaside hometown one year after a deadly accident they’ve tried to bury—only to find themselves hunted by someone who clearly hasn’t forgotten what they did. What begins as a tense homecoming quickly unravels into bloodshed as secrets surface and loyalties fracture.
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The filmmakers make an effort to modernize the story by giving female characters more agency and ambition, reflecting some contemporary themes. However, these ideas are loosely connected to the narrative and underdeveloped, feeling more like surface-level additions rather than meaningful contributions. As a result, these attempts don’t add much depth or emotional resonance to the overall story.
One of the film’s biggest disappointments is Danica, played by Madelyn Cline—arguably the film’s biggest star thanks to her roles in Outer Banks and Knives Out: Glass Onion. Many viewers likely tuned in expecting Cline to deliver a standout performance. Instead, Danica comes across as frustratingly underwritten and often downright annoying. For example, her sudden shift from grieving widow to rekindling a romance with an ex happens with little believable motivation and feels rushed. Despite Cline’s talent and screen presence, her character is the weakest link in the cast, adding little to the plot or emotional stakes. Fans of Cline will likely leave disappointed.
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Ava (Chase Sui Wonders) steps into the “final girl” role, inspired by Julie James from the original series. While Ava shows moments of strength, she lacks the charisma and emotional depth to carry the film. A baffling montage focused on her outfits disrupts the pacing and highlights the film’s struggle to balance style with substance.
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Moving from character issues to plot, Ray (Freddie Prinze Jr.) is handled with careless disregard for the original’s storyline. Once a loyal protector, he’s suddenly recast as a villain willing to harm Julie (Jennifer Love Hewitt). This drastic change is presented without backstory or explanation, leaving audiences confused. The film misses a key opportunity to explore what happened over the past two decades, resulting in an unearned and jarring twist.
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Julie herself is sidelined, treated more as a plot device than a fully realized character. The film offers little insight into her life or growth since the original films, weakening the emotional stakes that should be central to this story.
Stevie, the secondary antagonist, suffers from similar neglect. While her motive—seeking revenge for the death of her lover—is clear, her character lacks depth and believable development. Her sudden friendship with Danica feels forced and unconvincing, and her reveal as a co-conspirator with Ray comes across as predictable.
Directorially, the film lacks focus and fails to honor what made the originals effective. The mood, tension, and character-driven stakes are replaced with slick visuals and uneven pacing. Suspenseful moments are diluted by kills that come too late and feel overly sanitized, stripping away the brutal impact expected from an R-rated horror film. The dialogue often sounds unnatural, and the cast struggles to create believable chemistry, leaving viewers disconnected from the characters’ fates.
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Technically, the film is polished. Makeup and visual effects are strong, but these can’t compensate for the absence of genuine scares or emotional depth. The deaths are too clean and stylized, removing the visceral horror essential to a slasher.
Jennifer Love Hewitt’s return is a notable highlight, bringing much-needed authenticity and emotional weight that briefly reconnects the film to its roots. Sarah Michelle Gellar’s cameo is a nostalgic touch but adds little to the story. With a sequel already announced featuring Brandy’s character from I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, it remains to be seen whether future installments will address these fundamental issues or continue leaning on nostalgia without substance.
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Final Verdict:
I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) is a visually slick but emotionally hollow reboot. Its weak character writing, uneven plot, and underdeveloped themes make it a frustrating watch. Madelyn Cline’s wasted potential stands out as a particular disappointment, as her character’s poor development fails to showcase her abilities. Unless future entries deepen the characters and tighten the story, this reboot risks fading into obscurity—another stylish but forgettable entry in a once-iconic franchise.
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
A slick but soulless reboot—polished on the outside but missing the tension, emotion, and storytelling that once made this franchise enjoyable.
I Know What You Did Last Summer is in Theatres Now.
Watch The Trailer Below: