I Know What You Did Last Summer Sets a New Franchise Standard
I Know What You Did Last Summer has made waves with its latest release, achieving a surprising 69% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Co-written and directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, this installment of the slasher franchise follows a group of friends who find themselves targeted by a hook-wielding killer, a year after their cover-up of a tragic car accident.
This fresh chapter introduces a largely new cast, including Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Jonah Hauer-King, Tyriq Withers, Sarah Pidgeon, and Austin Nichols. However, franchise veterans Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. reprise their iconic roles as Julie James and Ray Bronson, adding a deliciously nostalgic layer to the film.
As it continues to unfold post-release, the film stands out, having the potential to outscore the original’s 41% audience rating, based on the new film’s 100+ verified ratings at the time of writing. Its initial performance is noteworthy, especially when contextualized against past entries:
| Title | RT Critics Score | RT Audience Score |
| I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) | 46% | 41% |
| I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998) | 10% | 29% |
| I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006) | 0% | 20% |
| I Know What You Did Last Summer (TV Show – 2021) | 43% | 38% |
| I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) | 38% | 69% |
The Critical Reception
While the audience response has been generally favorable, critics have not been as kind. With a mere 38% score from critics, reviews have largely leaned negative. For example, a review from ScreenRant describes it as “a lazy update on a franchise that should have been long dead by now.” Critics appreciate the nostalgic elements and humor but lament the new installment’s failure to capture what made the original special.
In contrast, audience feedback celebrates the film’s nostalgic nods and the chemistry among its cast. While some are critical of the dialogue and underwhelming characters, many find enjoyment in its familiar slasher tropes. The legacy cameos spark excitement, yet opinions remain divided over their necessity.
Looking back at the franchise’s history, the survival of I Know What You Did Last Summer seems almost miraculous. With no previous entries achieving a “Fresh” score, this new film breaks a long-standing trend. Yet, as more viewers head to theaters, these scores might fluctuate.
I Know What You Did Last Summer is now playing in theaters, and its place in the cultural landscape of slasher films continues to provoke discussion among fans and newcomers alike.
Source: Rotten Tomatoes