The hook-wielding fisherman is back, and he’s sharper than ever. Sony’s 2025 revival of I Know What You Did Last Summer delivers exactly what fans of the 1997 original crave – sun-kissed teens, ominous notes, and buckets of blood – while updating the formula for the TikTok generation.
A Fresh Coat of Blood on Classic Tropes
Director Leigh Janiak (Fear Street trilogy) walks a clever tightrope between nostalgia and innovation. The coastal town setting remains gorgeously ominous, but the social media-era updates (think: viral challenges replacing answering machine threats) feel organic rather than forced.
The New Class of Victims
While the original’s Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. are tough acts to follow, the new ensemble – led by rising stars Myha’la Herrold and Mason Gooding – brings fresh energy. Particular praise goes to Rachel Zegler’s turn as the guilt-ridden final girl, whose emotional range elevates the material.
Kills Worth the Wait
The practical effects shine in set pieces that balance tension with outrageous gore. One beachside dispatch involving a fishing net may haunt viewers longer than the killer’s raincoat.
Does It Earn Its Sequel Setup?
The third act’s revelations will divide fans. While the mystery’s resolution plays fair, the franchise-baiting ending feels more cynical than clever. Still, as far as horror reboots go, this summer fling delivers more hits than misses.
Verdict: 3.5/5 hooks – A slick, self-aware revival that honors its source while carving its own identity. Just maybe watch it before your next beach holiday.
