I Know What You Did Last Summer Ending: The Surprise Killer Really Dug Deep To Make The Movie’s Big Twist Real

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As a devoted fan, I must issue a significant warning: The following discussion delves into substantial spoilers for the chilling thriller, “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” If, by any chance, you haven’t had the opportunity to watch this film yet, I strongly advise against reading further. However, if you’re willing to brave the potential ruination of the plot twists, feel free to proceed, but beware – the responsibility is all yours!

Over the past 15 years, we’ve encountered numerous sequels based on older properties, but none have managed to surprise audiences quite like Jennifer Kaytin Robinson’s revamp of “I Know What You Did Last Summer”. In most cases, characters from the original series are used primarily to connect the new storyline with the past. However, this fresh horror film takes a daring approach: while Julie James, portrayed by Jennifer Love Hewitt, continues her role as the Final Girl, the movie reveals that Ray Bronson, played by Freddie Prinze Jr., has gone insane and is revealed to be one of two killers (the other being Stevie Ward, played by Sarah Pidgeon).

In my review for the movie “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” I express that a delightful surprise unfolds in the third act, a part I particularly enjoy. This plot twist feels genuine and authentic, and Freddie Prinze Jr.’s performance truly brings it to life. During an interview with him, I discovered that his convincing portrayal of Ray’s transformation from hero to villain was due to his emotional investment in understanding the character’s journey.

How Ray Bronson Becomes A Killer In I Know What You Did Last Summer

As a movie buff immersed in the thriller “I Know What You Did Last Summer” of 2025, I found Ray Bronson an intriguing character throughout his screen time. Despite coming off as a well-composed individual with a few lingering grudges, he runs his own bar and serves as a guiding figure to his employee Stevie. However, it’s no secret that his marriage to Julie James ended on rocky terms, and the town of Southport, North Carolina has left an indelible mark on him due to their collective effort to bury the horrific events of 1997, the murders that still haunt this small coastal town.

It’s clear now that the chips on his shoulder were warning signs. The reason Ray’s relationship with Julie didn’t last was due to his simmering anger, an anger that he had carried for a long time against the town. Instead of remaining idle and destructive, this rage transforms into a contagious disease that he passes onto Stevie. Together, they plot revenge on Southport and Stevie’s former companions.

Freddie Prinze Jr. Examined His Friends’ Broken Relationships And Trauma To Get At The Heart Of What Happened To Ray

In my opinion, when one encounters an overwhelmingly distressing incident, suppressing all feelings is not the healthiest approach. Unresolved emotions can transform into poisonous sentiments and cause significant harm. Ray Bronson serves as a chilling illustration of this psychological phenomenon in the I Know What You Did Last Summer sequel, a role that Freddie Prinze Jr. found particularly resonant while rehearsing for his part.

Towards the end of last month, I was fortunate enough to interview the actor, alongside Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, during the LA press day for his latest movie. During our chat, we ventured into spoiler territory and discussed Prinze Jr.’s perspective on Ray’s current state, as viewers last saw him in “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer”. Despite being married for 23 years to his co-star from “I Know What You Did Last Summer”, Sarah Michelle Gellar, he acknowledged that some of his friends have experienced turbulent relationships similar to Ray and Julie. He explained that Ray’s issues stemmed from his inability to cope with the trauma of being pursued by a serial killer as a teenager. The actor himself said this, elaborating on how such an experience could impact someone for years to come.

Many of my friends have experienced failed relationships due to various causes, including unresolved traumas. Over time, these unaddressed traumas can make one more sensitive, causing even small incidents to trigger strong reactions, which may not necessarily be related to the immediate situation at hand but rather stem from past experiences.

The saying “Hurt people hurt others” is often repeated because it’s true: when someone doesn’t deal effectively with their own pain, they may unintentionally cause harm to others. However, in the case of Ray Bronson, his hurts have led him to physically harm people, lurking around Southport while armed with a hook and a harpoon gun.

Freddie Prinze Jr. mentioned that the content was quite profound, yet he thoroughly enjoyed delving into the character and utilizing his findings to enhance his portrayal: a delightful experience overall.

Bringing your work with you can be tedious, but there’s an exhilarating period between setting up and wrapping up where you get to perform what you’ve prepared, engage the audience, and see how everything unfolds spontaneously. It all depends on the ebb and flow of the day and how deeply you can immerse yourself in the scene.

In summary, the actor pointed out that Ray appeared quite composed during the incidents depicted in both “I Know What You Did Last Summer” and “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer”. However, after a period of approximately 25 years, something triggered him to snap. When Freddie Prinze Jr. grasped this change and figured out how to portray it convincingly, everything fell into place perfectly.

After discovering the cause, I realized I could portray a shattered character, as that’s what Ray has become right now. He’s no longer the working-class hero; instead, he’s been fractured by these events. Trauma can either build or destroy, and in Ray’s case, it seems to have left him damaged. I know people who have been strengthened by trauma, but I also know those who have been irrevocably broken. This might be a spoiler, but hopefully, this revelation will come after the movie has been released. Essentially, Ray is a shattered man, and that’s the outcome of his experiences.

Interested to find out how the backstory of Ray Bronson’s harrowing past enhances your viewing experience in the recently released horror flick, “I Know What You Did Last Summer“? Catch it now playing in cinemas nationwide – as it managed to secure the third spot at the box office during its opening weekend.

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2025-07-21 09:08