The ’90s showered us with countless cultural gems—from butterfly clips to beepers—but for horror fans, few things resonated quite like the slasher classics of the decade. One standout? I Know What You Did Last Summer. This chilling tale of secrets, guilt, and a hook-wielding psychopath has cemented itself as a slasher staple since its release in 1997. Now, Sony Pictures is revisiting the foggy streets of Southport with a reboot/legacy sequel scheduled for release on July 18, 2025. What’s got the horror community abuzz? A chilling teaser poster, an eerie synopsis, and the return of some familiar faces.
Here’s everything we know about what they did last summer—or at least what they’re planning to do this summer.
the hook returns
The buzzworthy teaser poster features a stark yet effective image of the hook, the iconic weapon of choice for the franchise’s killer. A subtle splash of blood serves as a dark reminder that this slasher icon hasn’t dulled with age. The tagline? Cryptic as ever. It reads, “Secrets Never Die,” setting the stage for a horror story where your past is always just one step behind you.
This visual is more than just nostalgia bait. It’s a deliberate tether to the legacy of the 1997 original. Fans of the series will notice that the sleek, minimalistic design echoes the simplicity of vintage slasher posters—proof that sometimes less really is more.
synopsis with a sinister twist
The reboot’s official synopsis confirms that this isn’t merely a retelling of the original story—it’s a continuation. And if you thought your secrets were safe, think again. Here’s the skinny:
“When five friends inadvertently cause a deadly car accident, they decide to cover it up and vow never to speak of it again. But a year later, their past comes back to haunt them. Stalked by a vindictive killer, they must unravel the horrifying truth that this isn’t the first time such events have unfolded. Desperate, they turn to survivors from the infamous Southport Massacre of 1997 for help.”
Sound familiar? The storyline offers a modern twist on the original plot, featuring franchise veterans Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and Ray Bronson (Freddie Prinze Jr.), who reprise their iconic roles. Love Hewitt and Prinze Jr.’s involvement brings a delicious sense of continuity for OG fans, similar to the nostalgia-laden returns we recently saw in Scream (2022).
new blood for the franchise
Fans may come for the nostalgia, but they’ll stay for the fresh faces. Joining Julie and Ray is a new cast of potential victims—or suspects—including Madelyn Cline (Glass Onion), Sarah Pidgeon (The Wilds), Jonah Hauer-King (The Little Mermaid), and Chase Sui Wonders (Bodies, Bodies, Bodies). With Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (Do Revenge) at the helm as director, this reboot seems poised to reflect Gen Z sensibilities without losing the slasher charm of its heyday.
Expect bold cinematography, biting dialogue, and a fast-paced narrative that introduces this new group of friends to the same existential question that haunted their predecessors—how far would you go to bury a secret?
how it ties into the original
One of the most intriguing details about the reboot is its connection to the original I Know What You Did Last Summer. Unlike other franchises that reset the playing field (Halloween, we’re looking at you), this film operates as a true continuation. Much like Scream’s recent resurgence, it bridges the gap between old and new, inviting seasoned fans and newcomers alike into its circle of dread.
This means we’ll see survivors Julie and Ray not just as cameos, but as integral characters who might provide more than a few survival tips to the younger crowd—if they can stay alive themselves, that is.
a legacy of fear
First things first—how did we get here? For those catching up, the original I Know What You Did Last Summer was based on Lois Duncan’s 1973 novel but took significant creative liberties to craft a teen slasher in the vein of Scream. Directed by Jim Gillespie and penned by Kevin Williamson (Scream, The Faculty), the film captured a generation’s paranoia about consequences catching up with them.
Its 1998 sequel, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, leaned harder into camp while keeping the gore intact. A 2006 standalone sequel, I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer, reset the storyline with a new cast—though fans tend to pretend that one doesn’t exist.
This reboot seems to merge the best of both worlds. With Robinson and her team drawing inspiration from the original while creating something fresh, we might just have a worthy entry in this long-dormant series.
what horror fans are saying
The horror community is buzzing with mixed emotions. On the one hand, nostalgia is a powerful force, and many fans are thrilled to see familiar faces return to the big screen. On the other hand, some skeptics worry that the modern trend of reboots reeks too much of an algorithm churning out content.
Only time—and screams—will tell if the film delivers on its promise to be both a callback for fans of the original and a compelling story in its own right.
final thoughts: a summer of screams ahead
Love it or hate it, I Know What You Did Last Summer resonates because it taps into a universal fear—the idea that past choices can haunt your present. Whether you’re revisiting the franchise out of nostalgia or you’re curious about its new take, there’s no denying that this reboot has planted a hook (pun intended) into horror fans’ attention.
Will it live up to the legacy of its ’90s predecessor? We’ll find out soon enough. Until then, keep your secrets safe, and maybe stay off isolated back roads…