Movies

How the New ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ Hooks You with a Fresh Twist!

BBG News

Here’s a fresh take on the sentence: A new addition has been made to the timeless horror category, which revolves around good-looking individuals committing wrongdoings only to face their consequences.

In simpler terms, according to Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (of “Do Revenge” and “Someone Great”) and her co-writer Sam Lansky (a TIME contributor and author of “The Gilded Razor” and “Broken People”), the genre that their reimagined slasher sequel fits into is similar to timeless cult classics like “Jawbreaker”, “Prom Night”, and “The House on Sorority Row”.

Currently playing in cinemas, “I Know What You Did Last Summer” is a new take on the 1997 classic, where a fresh group of affluent twentysomethings are led towards deadly retribution in the picturesque town of Southport, N.C. Unlike the initial movie where they accidentally hit someone with their car during a Fourth of July night beach drive, this time these friends – Ava (Chase Sui Wonders), Danica (Madelyn Cline), Milo (Jonah Hauer-King), Teddy (Tyriq Withers), and Stevie (Sarah Pidgeon) – cause an accident that leaves a driver hanging over a cliff before his truck falls off. Instead of staying at the crime scene and awaiting the police, they choose to escape and rely on Teddy’s influential father to hide their actions.

If you’re acquainted with the series, you can predict what follows next. In the following year, when the regretful and somewhat distant friends reunite in Southport, Danica receives a chilling message: “I know what you did last summer.” This sets off a horrific chain of killings, masterminded by a mysterious new Fisherman, who possesses more than just a hook. Lansky refers to the increased violence as being reminiscent of David Fincher’s Se7en. He notes that there is an aspect of stagecraft to these murders within the film’s world that was not present in the original.

Although it didn’t receive much acclaim from critics, the 1997 movie “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” helmed by director Jim Gillespie and penned by Kevin Williamson of “Scream” fame, managed to garner a substantial box-office success (grossing more than $125 million globally) and cult popularity. This was largely due to the impressive on-screen chemistry between its rising stars: Jennifer Love Hewitt (as Julie James), Sarah Michelle Gellar (playing Helen Shivers), Freddie Prinze Jr. (as Ray Bronson), and Ryan Phillippe (as Barry Cox).

In the film, the friendships portrayed possess an intensity and emotional resonance that goes beyond what many movies of that time managed. You can truly sense it on a profound level. Characters like Julie, Helen, Ray, and Barry feel relatable, so when their relationships begin to fray, it’s genuinely heart-wrenching.

Currently, approximately three decades later, Robinson and Lansky strive to recreate the same chilling experience for modern horror enthusiasts, as if these grisly incidents are happening among their peers.

Robinson mentioned that our goal was to gather a team that could mirror the brilliance, sparkle, and charm of the original. The guiding principle was not necessarily to copy it, as we aimed to avoid direct imitation of any characters, but rather to recreate the atmosphere.

In the latest installment, Hewitt and Prinze Jr., who had last appeared together in the 1998 sequel “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer,” reprise their roles. Interestingly, they were missing from the 2006 film “I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer” and the 2021 TV series adaptation of the story, which unfortunately didn’t continue beyond its first season.

Lansky explains that when creating the stories for Julie and Ray in the first two movies, they aimed to maintain an enjoyable tone while acknowledging the immense trauma these characters faced. He references a joke about “The Body Keeps the Score” early in the film as an example of this balancing act. Their intention was to handle the gravity and horror of the characters’ experiences without making the narrative overly somber or pretentious, ensuring that fun remained the guiding principle throughout their work.

Just as the 1997 film “Scream” was compared to its original version, the new release can expect comparisons to the successful sequels that followed in the same franchise, earning a combined total of approximately $309 million worldwide. Similarly to the initial reception, “I Know What You Did Last Summer” is receiving positive critical reviews. As it approaches its opening weekend, predictions suggest a domestic box office revenue of around $17 million on a production budget of $18 million. Robinson, however, remains indifferent about its connection to the “Scream” series, expressing affection for those films but hoping that their new movie will be seen as unique and self-sufficient.

According to Robinson, the secret behind a successful horror reboot lies in captivating audiences with a fresh perspective on a classic concept. She explains that every decision, twist, and character death should be grounded in the unique narrative being told, rather than forcing elements to fit or altering the original story unnecessarily. The film’s tributes are seamlessly integrated, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and fans of the original series, with hidden references and jokes that offer additional layers of amusement for those well-versed in the franchise lore. However, even without prior knowledge, viewers can still have a great time.

Ultimately, it’s up to the fans to determine if they’re ready to jump on board with this new take on the franchise’s comeback. In Julie James’ words, “Why wait? Let’s do this!

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2025-07-18 19:06

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