I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) Reviews: Early Buzz on the Slasher Reboot

The highly anticipated reboot of I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) is slashing its way into theaters on July 18, 2025, and early I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) Reviews are already sparking conversation.

Directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, this legacy sequel blends nostalgia with a fresh cast, bringing back Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. alongside new faces like Madelyn Cline and Chase Sui Wonders.

Critics have weighed in, offering a mix of praise for its nostalgic charm and criticism for its lack of originality. Below, we dive into the early reviews, key highlights, and what audiences can expect from this slasher revival.

Highlights of I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025)

• Nostalgic Appeal: The return of legacy stars Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. delivers fan-favorite moments, with clever nods to the 1997 original.

• Fresh Cast Shines: Madelyn Cline and Chase Sui Wonders stand out, bringing charisma and chemistry to the new group of friends.

• Gory Kills: The reboot amps up the brutality with inventive and gruesome death scenes, appealing to slasher fans.

• Mixed Reception: Critics are divided, with a 48% Rotten Tomatoes score, praising its fun vibe but noting a lack of fresh scares.

• Self-Aware Humor: The film leans into campy, meta commentary, drawing comparisons to Scream’s playful tone.

What Do Critics Say About the Nostalgia Factor?

The reboot leans heavily into nostalgia, a major draw for fans of the 1997 classic. Critics note that the return of Hewitt and Prinze Jr. as Julie James and Ray Bronson feels like a “high school reunion” for longtime fans. Reviewers like BJ Colangelo from Slashfilm praise the film’s “gleefully self-aware” script, which weaves in references to the original while updating Southport for 2025.

However, some, like Slant Magazine, argue the nostalgia feels “cynically made,” accusing the film of over-relying on callbacks without carving out a distinct identity.

The balance of honoring the past while appealing to new audiences is a recurring theme in the film.

Is the New Cast a Hit or Miss?

The ensemble, featuring Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Jonah Hauer-King, Tyriq Withers, and Sarah Pidgeon, has garnered mixed feedback. IndieWire highlights Cline and Wonders for their “charismatic” performances, noting their ability to carry the film’s suspense.

Conversely, Looper criticizes the characters as “thinly written,” suggesting the new cast struggles to match the iconic appeal of the 1997 lineup.

Despite this, positive reviews, like those on IMDb, commend the group’s chemistry, with one fan calling them “sensational” for making the characters likable in unique ways. The younger cast’s dynamic is a focal point, with their Fourth of July accident setting the stage for the Fisherman’s return.

How Gory Are the Kills in the Reboot?

Slasher fans craving brutal kills won’t be disappointed, according to early reviews. Director Robinson promised “balls-to-the-wall fun” with “ratcheted up” gore, and critics agree the death scenes deliver.

Newsweek notes the kills are “much more brutal” than the original, with inventive sequences that hit the right balance of gore without going overboard.

IGN singles out an early kill involving a blood-red bath bomb as a memorable moment, though some, like Roger Ebert, find the back half of the film’s kills tonally inconsistent, shifting from fun to overly serious.

Despite mixed execution, the gore is a standout for horror enthusiasts.

Does the Plot Feel Fresh or Stale?The plot mirrors the 1997 film: a group of friends cover up a deadly car accident, only to be hunted by a hook-wielding killer a year later.

Critics like IGN argue the story is “so close to the first film” that it “barely has room to breathe,” while Variety calls it a “whodunit meets a who cares” for its lack of innovation.

On the flip side, Bloody Disgusting appreciates the film’s attempt to weave in modern elements, like social media references and a murder podcast host, though these feel “ho-hum” to some.

The connection to the 1997 Southport Massacre, with legacy characters guiding the new group, adds intrigue but doesn’t fully escape the shadow of the original.

How Does the Film Compare to Other Slasher Reboots?

Comparisons to Scream (2022) and Halloween (2018) are inevitable, given the reboot’s legacy sequel approach. ScreenRant notes that, unlike Scream’s successful reinvention, this film struggles to offer a compelling whodunit mystery, a key element missing from the original.

The Guardian praises its “goofy, slickly made” vibe, likening it to Scream’s self-aware tone, but Deadline argues it feels like a “copy of a copy,” overly imitative of recent reboots. With a 48% Rotten Tomatoes score and a 42/100 on Metacritic, the film sits above the franchise’s poorly received sequels but falls short of Scream’s critical acclaim.

What Are the Box Office Predictions?

Early tracking suggests I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) could gross $13-17 million domestically in its opening weekend, facing competition from Smurfs and Eddington.

SlashFilm notes that horror’s strong 2025 performance, with hits like Sinners and Final Destination Bloodlines, bodes well, but World of Reel warns of a potential “tepid $10M” debut due to negative test screening buzz.

The film’s modest budget, likely under $40 million, gives it a shot at profitability if word-of-mouth improves.

Critical Reception Data Table

Will This Reboot Hook Audiences?

I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) is a polarizing addition to the slasher genre, balancing nostalgic fan service with a fresh cast and gory kills.

While some critics hail it as a “worthy successor” with a playful, campy edge, others see it as a “lazy retread” that fails to innovate.

Some Closing Thoughts:

With a 48% Rotten Tomatoes score and mixed buzz, its success may hinge on audience reception, particularly among horror fans craving a summer scare.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newcomer, this reboot promises a bloody good time, even if it doesn’t fully escape the shadow of its predecessors.

Catch it in theaters on July 18, 2025, and decide for yourself if it’s a cut above the rest.