I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025)

Release Date: July 18, 2025
Director: Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
Starring: Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Tyriq Withers, Jonah Hauer-King, Sarah Pidgeon, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Freddie Prinze Jr.

The Plot: Predictable Slasher with a Nostalgic Glow

I’ll admit it—I’ve never been a diehard fan of the IKWYDLS franchise. I’d only seen parts of the older movies, so going into this 2025 sequel felt like I was stepping into a world I half-understood. Still, I wanted to give it a fair shot and expand my horror horizons.

The film kicks off with a group of friends reuniting in their old hometown over the Fourth of July. Of course, it wouldn’t be a slasher without a drunken mistake—this time involving a hit-and-run cover-up. The setup feels familiar, maybe too familiar, and the plot doesn’t take long to settle into the standard formula. One year later, the group starts receiving ominous messages. Then come the murders. Cue the mystery.

Honestly, it felt more PG than panic-inducing. I didn’t find myself squirming or screaming—not even a decent jump scare. The visuals are clean and glossy, but the kills are tame and the suspense is light. While the pacing is decent, the tension never quite reaches the level of true dread.

What surprised me, though, was the twist. I’m usually decent at guessing the killer early, but this one got me. I figured it out about five minutes before the big reveal—and for a slasher, that’s a small but refreshing win. It’s clear the film tries to blend homage with modern energy, and while not always successful, the twist does deliver.

The Cast: A Mix of New Blood and Nostalgia

The cast is a blend of fresh faces and returning veterans. Madelyn Cline, known from Outer Banks, plays the group’s reluctant leader, but her performance didn’t leave much of an impression. I found her character a bit bland, like she was written to carry the film without ever giving her enough depth to actually do it.

Chase Sui Wonders, however, brings real presence. She owns her scenes and feels emotionally grounded, which helps when the dialogue drifts into cliché territory. Tyriq Withers also holds his own, giving one of the more believable performances in the cast.

Jonah Hauer-King and Sarah Pidgeon round out the new crew, but their roles never quite pop. They exist to move the plot, not to challenge it.

Now let’s talk about the legacy cast. Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. return in smaller roles, offering fan service more than story impact. They feel underused, though their appearances are a nostalgic boost. Sarah Michelle Gellar makes a surprise cameo—in a dream sequence—but it’s so fleeting, you’d miss it if you blinked.

The Vibe: Glossy Horror Meets Safe Reboot

This isn’t your gritty ’90s horror. The 2025 version is polished, soft-edged, and clearly designed for a younger, TikTok-ready audience. It’s full of moody lighting, beachy backdrops, and a synth-heavy score that screams streaming-era slasher.

There’s definitely effort here—the direction is confident, and the cinematography looks good—but it never pushes boundaries. It’s not scary enough for horror fans, not emotional enough for drama lovers, and not crazy enough for cult status. Still, it’s watchable. Just… safe.

Public Feedback: Divided and Lukewarm

Reactions to the film have been mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes, the audience score is hovering around 58%, while IMDb has it rated at 5.9/10. Fans of the original franchise seem split—some appreciate the nostalgic return of familiar faces, while others felt the script didn’t give those characters enough to work with.

Chase Sui Wonders is receiving the most praise for her performance, with many calling her the emotional core of the movie. Her portrayal has been called “understated but powerful” across social media. Meanwhile, some viewers found Madelyn Cline’s role forgettable and felt the film played it far too safe to make a lasting impression.

TikTok and Twitter are full of reactions calling the movie “mid-tier” and “meh,” but there’s also appreciation for the final twist, which took some audiences by surprise.

Controversy: Style Over Substance

The main critique circulating is that the film focuses too much on aesthetic and not enough on actual horror. With glossy visuals, tame kills, and a predictable structure, longtime horror fans are frustrated by what feels like a watered-down version of what could’ve been a gritty revival.

There’s also disappointment in how the legacy characters were used. Many viewers expected Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. to play more integral roles in the story, rather than quick nostalgia beats. Some critics argue that their presence was more promotional than purposeful.

A few online discussions have also pointed out the film’s struggle to fully commit to either being a full slasher revival or a teen drama. In trying to cater to both, it ends up landing in the middle.

Final Thoughts: Slick But Soulless

I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) isn’t awful—it’s just not particularly memorable. There’s a decent twist, a couple of strong performances, and moments of nostalgic fun. But the scares are light, the characters are thin, and the script lacks emotional depth.

As someone who came into this without major attachment to the originals, I hoped this new entry might pull me in. Instead, it mostly confirmed why the franchise never clicked for me. It plays the hits, but doesn’t remix them.

Final Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/10)

A pretty, forgettable reboot with some surprises—but not enough bite to truly stick.

If you're into dark teen drama with emotional twists, check out my review of Ginny & Georgia Season 3 — it’s one of the few shows that actually handles mental health with some raw honesty.

➡️ Read more TV & movie reviews at The Tipsy Critic
📲 Follow @thetipsycriticreview on Instagram for unapologetic takes, industry tea, and brutally honest breakdowns.