The New I Know What You Did Last Summer Is Torture

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Among all the disappointing sequels to horror movies, few are as blatantly enthusiastic about their poor quality as “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” At first glance, it might appear to be enjoyable campy entertainment, but let me assure you, it is not. While studio-produced horror films often require a touch of whimsy to market questionable character choices, excessive gore, and absurd plot twists, the successful ones still possess an authentic core that resonates with viewers. This latest film shares some similarities with the 1997 original, which featured a group of teenagers in a charming fishing town called Southport being pursued by a psychotic fisherman armed with a hook after they accidentally ran over and concealed the body of a mysterious pedestrian during their summer vacation.

In a different scenario, they are not causing harm to anyone this time. On a fateful night at the infamous bend called Reaper’s Curve, they are lounging in the middle of the road. A car skids to a halt to avoid them and plunges off the cliff into the sea. Initially, they try to assist the driver as the vehicle dangles precariously on the edge. However, they later feel remorse for not having done more, and it appears that their actions are being linked to this person’s demise by whoever is pursuing them. While their actions were clearly wrong, the scene portrayed in the picture immediately exonerates them (metaphorically speaking). The ambiguity regarding their guilt is detrimental to the overall narrative.

As a movie enthusiast, I must confess that “I Know What You Did Last Summer” wasn’t exactly a masterpiece, but it managed to create a chilling ambiance and a palpable sense of guilt among the teen characters. Despite their striking appearances, they weren’t exactly endearing or relatable. Their acting was reminiscent of a windmill, more focused on wide-mouthed expressions rather than nuanced portrayals of fear. However, they succeeded in making us believe that they had indeed committed a terrible act the previous summer, which made their characters vulnerable and somewhat understandable. Guilt and shame are emotions that resonate universally; just look at how many religions have been built on these feelings. It was an era of high-concept films, and this was as high-concept as they come.

In a subtle yet significant critique, it appears that the movie’s failure to handle the central plot point of “What exactly happened last summer” effectively suggests an underlying lack of effort or perhaps even fear. One could argue that the filmmakers might be hesitant to portray their protagonists doing something truly questionable, for fear that contemporary audiences may not find it appealing. This seems counterproductive given the movie’s title, “I Know What You Did Last Summer”.

The script attempts to transform its awkward self-awareness into a strength, starting with our heroine Eva (Chase Sui Wonders), who, upon her return home for her best friend Danica’s (Madelyn Cline) engagement party, peruses dresses while delivering expository dialogue to herself in the mirror about the characters we are soon introduced to.

In this film, characters frequently declare their thoughts and actions, ranging from details about past relationships to plans against the killer. However, these declarations often lack follow-through, creating a sense of casualness that persists even when people begin to meet untimely ends. This mild pace continues through the violent events, with one character even taking a trip to a sauna during the height of the chaos. While this could potentially be humorously ironic, it mostly feels like poor narrative construction. Additionally, the film seems to portray its characters with disdain, whether it’s the wealthy buffoon (Tyriq Withers), the lifeless true-crime podcaster (Gabbriette Bechtel), or Danica, the shallow beauty queen who struggles to maintain a single thought. The film presents an excessive array of thinly-veiled Zoomer immaturity, complete with constant modern slang, making it challenging to take any of it seriously. In reality, young people are not as irritating as portrayed in this movie, but Hollywood continues to try to persuade us otherwise.

Perhaps the issue lies in attempting to adapt Director Jennifer Katyn Robinson’s unique blend of ’90s nostalgia and contemporary satire into a studio-horror sequel. This transformation might be what drains the film of its necessary comedic energy, as it falls short of the humor one would expect from a scene where someone dies while trying to charge their phone.

Comparatively speaking, the movie feels more like “Bodies Bodies Bodies” with less irony, making it a rather grueling experience. The returning cast members, such as Freddie Prinze Jr., who has matured into a more intriguing actor in his later years, and Jennifer Love Hewitt, offer some flavor to the film. However, Hewitt’s character, Julie James, now a professor, serves mainly as a vehicle for delivering lectures about how “trauma affects the brain.” Lines like these could potentially argue that this production is a satire on modern horror, but it comes off as a disappointingly half-hearted and unnecessary attempt. The film doesn’t stand out enough to satirize itself effectively, as modern horror already does a decent job of self-satirization.

When it comes to the chills, I’d say skip it. Today’s jump scares have lost their impact due to excessive and improper use by filmmakers, who treat them as a technical feat instead of a dramatic tool. They reduce background noise, create tension, then BAM! This triggers our physiological response, making us feel like we’re genuinely scared. However, movies like “I Know What You Did Last Summer” overuse this technique, undermining the potential of the hooded fisherman with a hook, a character that could have been terrifyingly iconic. Sadly, the movie repeatedly misses the mark, and instead of clever scares, it resorts to loud flashbacks. Our ears might be exercised, but our minds just grow weary. Not scary enough to exhilarate, not funny enough to endear, “I Know What You Did Last Summer” isn’t merely forgettable. It’s downright aggravating.

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2025-07-16 19:54