I Know What You Did Last Summer Takes A Huge Swing That I’ve Been Waiting To See From A Legacyquel, And The Story Of How It Came Together Makes Me Love It Even More

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Be warned: This article reveals key plot details from the movie *I Know What You Did Last Summer*. If you haven’t watched it yet, you might want to stop reading now to avoid spoilers!

Over the past fifteen years, we’ve seen many reboots and sequels that revisit older franchises – like *Tron: Legacy*, *Star Wars: The Force Awakens*, *Jurassic World: Dominion*, and *Scream*. These films usually stick to familiar ground with their classic characters, keeping the heroes heroic and trying to recapture what made fans love them originally. The new *I Know What You Did Last Summer* movie takes a different approach, and I believe that’s why it didn’t get the positive reception it deserved when it came out a few months ago.

The 2025 film is now streaming on Netflix, and it reminded me of a conversation I had this summer with the writer and director, Jennifer Katlin Robinson, and star Freddie Prinze Jr. during a press event in Los Angeles. In a video interview, I discussed the movie with them, including details about the surprising reveal that Prinze’s character, Ray Bronson, is the new version of The Fisherman.

Robinson shared that when Sony first approached her about the project, she immediately knew she wanted two things. First, she wanted to avoid a typical franchise reboot by not introducing new characters who would survive – she wanted to “kill basically everyone.” Second, she decided Ray should be the killer, a conclusion she reached after carefully considering the existing characters’ stories, as the director explained.

I started to seriously consider the characters’ backgrounds and how the events of the story could affect them, particularly given their connections to the younger characters. I realized Ray would be the most compelling choice for the killer, and thankfully, Sony and Freddie Highmore both agreed with my idea, although I was quite anxious about making that decision.

The movie continues the story of Ray, a divorced bar owner living in Southport, North Carolina. He’s unhappy with how the town has tried to bury its past, specifically the events surrounding a traumatic incident from the late 1990s. Ray is frustrated that the most difficult experience of his life has become a secret, and he’s determined to get revenge. He enlists the help of his employee, Stevie Ward, to carry out his plan.

I was so shocked by the big twist in the movie! Apparently, it almost didn’t happen. I heard Freddie Prinze Jr. could have easily said no, or maybe felt too protective of his character to go through with it. But he didn’t. He understood it might bother some viewers, but he also saw how real and honest it was. He actually explained that…

I really went for it with that performance, and I knew it would be emotionally difficult for some viewers. I intentionally portrayed the character as fragile and hurting, hoping to evoke a strong reaction – even heartbreak – from the audience. Everything about that choice was purposeful.

The film gives Ray believable reasons for becoming a killer, but he’s also genuinely dangerous and a threat to the main characters later on. Freddie Prinze Jr., who usually plays heroes or romantic interests, was eager to take on this challenging role. He explained further,

I’d always wanted to play a character like this – the one hidden behind the mask, the monster. But I didn’t think Hollywood would ever let me. When the director told me I had the opportunity, I immediately wanted to understand her vision. Once she explained the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of the character, and how she saw Ray at this stage in his life, I was completely on board – even before there was a script. It was her passion and dedication to the character that convinced me.

Watching slasher movies again can be really enjoyable once you know the killer’s identity, letting you appreciate how cleverly the story unfolds. *I Know What You Did Last Summer* is a great example of this, and it’s currently available to stream on Netflix. You can also rent or buy it digitally, or find it on 4K UHD and Blu-ray. Plus, don’t forget to watch the end credits – there’s a scene you might have missed!

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2025-10-17 00:38