I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) Spoiler Free Review
You get the ending you deserve. I Know What You Did Last Summer is a 2025 American slasher film directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, and co-wroted by Sam Lansky, Leah McKendrick and Robinson. Serving as a direct sequel to I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998), it marks the fourth installment in the I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise. The film premiered in Los Angeles on July 14, 2025 at The United Theater on Broadway, and was theatrically released in the United States on July 18, 2025 by Sony Pictures Releasing.
When five friends inadvertently cause a deadly car accident, they cover up their involvement and make a pact to keep it a secret rather than face the consequences. One year later, the past comes back to haunt them as they learn someone knows what they did last summer. Stalked by a mysterious killer, they soon seek help from two survivors of the legendary Southport massacre of 1997.
Film synopsis
The cast includes Madelyn Cline as Danica Richards, Chase Sui Wonders as Ava Brooks, Jonah Hauer-King as Milo Griffin, Tyriq Withers as Teddy Spencer, Sarah Pidgeon as Stevie Ward, Jennifer Love Hewitt as Julie James, Freddie Prinze Jr. as Ray Bronson, Billy Campbell as Grant Spencer, Gabbriette Bechtel as Tyler Trevino, Austin Nichols as Pastor Judah, and Joshua Orpin as Wyatt.
The 2025 legacy sequel to I Know What You Did Last Summer tries hard to bring the classic slasher into the modern era—but in doing so, it ends up feeling more like a knockoff than a fresh revival. Directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, the film clearly wants to be the next Scream, but it never quite finds its own voice. One of the biggest issues is balance. The movie leans heavily into Gen Z references, constantly reminding us how in the now the characters are—but it often feels more like a gimmick than something meaningful. The dialogue can get cringey, and the script struggles to say anything new while still clinging to familiar beats from the original films.
The return of Jennifer Love Hewitt as Julie James and Freddie Prinze Jr. as Ray Bronson feels exciting at first, but by the time the credits roll, it’s questionable what the film actually does with their characters. But fans of the unofficial final girl of the original, Helen Shivers—don’t worry, this iconic character isn’t forgotten. The plot? Extremely predictable. It’s the kind of story where you can guess who’s next and why without much effort, which really kills the suspense. There’s no real sense of surprise or mystery, which is a letdown for a franchise built on secrets and twists.
That said, it’s not all bad. The kills are actually one of the film’s stronger elements—creative, gory, and fun in that classic slasher way. And while the story might not blow anyone away, it’s not completely boring either. There’s enough happening to keep your attention, even if it won’t stick with you afterward. Overall, this legacy sequel has some entertainment value, especially if you go in with low expectations. It’s not the worst in the franchise, but it’s far from the comeback fans might’ve hoped for. As for the future of the series, a mid-credits scene sets up a possible sequel—but we’ll have to wait and see if the Fisherman returns to haunt us again.
I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) is now playing in theaters.