I know what this sequel needs: originality.
The 1997 horror film “I Know What You Did Last Summer” was based on Lois Duncan’s novel and written for the screen by Kevin Williamson, who also wrote “Scream.” As a result of that film’s success, this one was rushed into production. Despite the negative reviews, it ended up being a sizable commercial hit that spawned a sequel “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer,” and a parody in “Scary Movie.” I only saw the original and skipped the sequel. But given the success of how Radio Silence brought “Scream” into the 2020s with the right commentary, I had to see how the new “I Know What You Did Last Summer” legacy sequel would play out.
I enjoyed how Freddie Prinze, Jr. (as Ray Bronson) and Jennifer Love Hewitt (as Julie James) are able to reprise their roles, and even the cameos from Sarah Michelle Gellar (as Helen Shivers) and Brandy Norwood (as Karla Wilson) made the audience at the screening clap and cheer. But I didn’t like how this sequel didn’t really go for nostalgia (as stated: “Nostalgia’s overrated”) and satire that proved how “Scream” can thrive in any generation. It ends up being routine and typical, and you’re not really liking the new characters.
It could have been worse. After all, I hated how two girls never even heard of a rotary phone in “Clown in a Cornfield.” It’s understandable why they would, but they act like they never watched movies or went to school. And none of these characters have piercings like that one guy did in “Final Destination: Bloodlines,” but that film was smarter, funnier, and more consistent than what writer/director Jennifer Kayti Robinson (who also wrote “Thor: Love and Thunder” and directed “Do Revenge”) can provide.
The new youngsters in Southport, North Carolina this time consist the bride-to-be Danica (Madelyn Cline from “Outer Banks”), her former intended Teddy (Tyriq Withers from “Tell Me Lies”), her friend Ava (Chase Sui Wonders, just seen in “The Studio”), her potential boyfriend Milo (Jonah Hauer-King), and the recovering mental patient Stevie (Sarah Pidgeon, just seen in “The Friend”). They’re the cause of a fatal car accident, when one of them stupidly fools around in middle of the road near a bend. They try to save the car, but it goes over, and now, they all promise not to speak of this to anyone. Deja vu.
A year has passed, and Danica has moved on with a new groom Wyatt (Joshua Orpin), but a wedding card that states: “I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER” and a Fisherman with a hook both say otherwise.
We have the new characters being hunted, and those who weren’t involved with the accident like Teddy’s land developer father (Billy Campbell), who lets his son wallow in his own filth on his yacht or a podcaster (Gabbriette), who is a big fan of the 1997 massacres. I don’t even think she would be worthy member of “Only Murders in the Building.” And I suppose this legacy sequel didn’t want the would-be Ray and Julie connection, if the one potential nice guy was going to be killed off too early.
“I Know What You Did Last Summer” wants to do something different with the old characters, but it handles them in such flimsy and sometimes predictable manners. I apologize for spoiling the two cameos, but they were the bright spots in this legacy sequel at least.
