“I Know What You Did Last Summer” is a hookless “requel”

After a lukewarm reception to the television series based on it, Lois Duncan’s 1973 novel “I Know What You Did Last Summer” receives a sequel treatment from director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, who co-writes the screenplay with Sam Lansky, based on a story by Leah McKendrick and Robinson.

Initially released in 1997, “I Know What You Did Last Summer” capitalized on the slasher revival trend. While “Scream” cleverly deconstructed the genre, Jim Gillespie’s film leaned heavily into clichés. Predictable yet popular, it spawned two forgettable sequels and has since become a relic of 90s horror.

Nearly three decades later, the franchise is back with a new entry that attempts to be a sequel, a reboot, and a remake all at once. The familiar hook-wielding killer returns to terrorize a group of friends who share a dark secret. While the setup remains unchanged, the presentation is filled with nostalgia, including nostalgic song choices, visual references, and callbacks to the original film.

The film’s central selling point is the return of Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr., who reprise their roles as Julie and Ray. Unfortunately, their appearances are mostly secondary, serving more as legacy nods than as central forces in the story. The real focus is on a new ensemble cast: Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Jonah Hauer-King, Tyriq Withers, and Sarah Pidgeon.

Among them, Cline, Wonders, and Withers deliver strong performances, infusing their characters with energy and credibility. The others, however, are burdened with one-dimensional writing and fail to rise above archetypal roles.

The film hints at a fresh take with a slightly modernized feminist undercurrent, but these elements do little to compensate for the clunky dialogue and thin characterization. Attempts at meta-commentary and nightmare imagery feel borrowed rather than genuinely integrated. What could have been inventive instead comes across as reheated leftovers from stronger entries in the genre.

Behind the camera, Jennifer Kaytin Robinson struggles to achieve a consistent tone. Her direction never fully decides whether to lean into camp, satire, or straightforward horror, resulting in a flat portrayal of the carnage. Except for one sharp second-act kill delivered with clever humor, the death scenes lack urgency and suspense.

The supposed thrills are further diminished by editing choices that deflate tension at crucial moments. By the third act, the story builds to a big reveal meant to shock, but it instead fizzles—predictable, poorly staged, and unable to elevate the film beyond its uneven foundation.

For hardcore fans, there are enjoyable callbacks, cameos, and a mid-credits tease that all but guarantees another sequel. However, for everyone else, this latest return of the fisherman feels more like repetition than revival.

Grade: C-

“I Know What You Did Last Summer” is in theaters now.