AtanariaThe late 1990s were a golden era for slasher horror films, especially those aimed at the teen demographic. Among the films that defined this era was I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), a gripping slasher that capitalized on the wave of horror movies that combined both suspense and teen drama. This film would go on to spawn two sequels, solidifying its place in the pantheon of 90s teen horror. In this article, we’ll delve into each installment in the I Know What You Did Last Summer series, evaluating their impact on the horror genre while also reflecting on what the franchise represents as a whole.
1. I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
The franchise began with the release of I Know What You Did Last Summer in 1997, directed by Jim Gillespie and written by Kevin Williamson, the man behind Scream (1996). The film follows a group of teenagers—Julie (Jennifer Love Hewitt), Ray (Freddie Prinze Jr.), Helen (Sarah Michelle Gellar), and Barry (Ryan Phillippe)—who are involved in a hit-and-run accident on a dark, foggy night. Fearing the consequences, they decide to cover up the incident, disposing of the body. However, one year later, they begin receiving ominous messages from someone who knows what they did, signaling that their dark secret is far from buried.
Review: The film’s strength lies in its atmosphere and the tension it builds throughout. The slow unraveling of the group’s guilt and fear as they are stalked by the mysterious “Fisherman” killer is compelling, particularly in the context of a seemingly perfect suburban backdrop. Though it doesn’t reinvent the slasher genre, the film does successfully tap into the fears of teen audiences of the time—dealing with the consequences of their actions and the lingering impact of trauma.
The killer’s iconic hook and eerie message set the tone for what would become a beloved, if somewhat formulaic, horror movie. I Know What You Did Last Summer was a box office hit, tapping into the popularity of teen horror films like Scream, and it also set up a recognizable ensemble of youthful actors who were at the height of their popularity.
2. I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)
Just one year after the success of the first film, the sequel I Still Know What You Did Last Summer hit theaters in 1998, once again directed by Danny Cannon and with a screenplay by Trey Callaway. This time, Julie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) is haunted by her past and is trying to move on. After winning a trip to the Bahamas, she and her friends (including Ray and newcomer Will, played by Matthew Settle) find themselves stalked once again by the mysterious killer. It turns out that the fisherman is back, and the tropical setting soon becomes as deadly as the foggy streets of the original.
Review: While I Still Know What You Did Last Summer does attempt to expand the franchise’s scope by shifting the action to a tropical island, it fails to capture the same eerie, suspenseful charm as the first film. The killer, now seemingly more unstoppable, continues to lurk in the shadows, but the plot grows a bit more contrived. The film’s reliance on the same structure as its predecessor—teenage protagonists who try to outrun their past—feels repetitive, and it struggles to create a fresh sense of tension.
That said, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer is still a decent slasher film, primarily for those who enjoyed the first installment. It doesn’t push the boundaries of the genre, but it does deliver on the thrills and suspense that fans were expecting. Jennifer Love Hewitt’s return as Julie is a highlight, as she anchors the story with her earnest portrayal of a character grappling with trauma and fear.
3. I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006)
The third film in the franchise, I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006), diverges from its predecessors in a significant way. Directed by Sylvain White, this straight-to-DVD sequel introduces an entirely new cast and shifts the setting to a small Colorado town. The premise follows a group of high school friends who, after playing a prank on one of their classmates, inadvertently cause a death. They swear to keep it a secret, but one year later, they begin to receive anonymous messages from the killer. The film follows a similar trajectory as the first two, but with less star power and a more direct-to-video production quality.
Review: Unfortunately, I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer is often regarded as the weakest entry in the franchise. The change in characters and setting was an attempt to revitalize the series, but it ultimately feels like a cheap knockoff of the original. The acting is subpar, and the film fails to generate the same level of suspense or atmosphere as its predecessors. While the return of the “Fisherman” killer and the hook-wielding menace is appreciated by fans, the lack of emotional depth and tension makes this film forgettable in the overall narrative arc of the franchise.
The Franchise’s Impact on the Horror Genre
The I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise, particularly the first two films, holds an important place in the history of 90s horror. Emerging shortly after Scream’s success, these films were part of the so-called “post-modern slasher” wave, which combined self-awareness, teen drama, and suspense. The films balanced gore and thrill, building a new kind of slasher hero—flawed teenagers who weren’t immune to consequences.
While it never reached the same heights as Scream in terms of cultural impact, I Know What You Did Last Summer still contributed to the ongoing popularity of teen-centered horror during the late 90s and early 2000s. The franchise also exemplified a trend where horror films were not just about jump scares, but about the aftermath and consequences of violence. The lingering guilt and paranoia the characters experienced set a tone that would influence future teen horror films.
As the years passed, I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer showed that the formula was wearing thin. The shift to a low-budget, direct-to-DVD sequel marked the decline of the franchise. Yet, despite this, the first two films still hold a nostalgic charm for many horror fans, especially those who grew up with the 90s slasher boom.
Conclusion
The I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise may not be as iconic as Halloween or A Nightmare on Elm Street, but its impact on 90s horror is undeniable. The first two films, especially, hold a special place for fans of teen slasher flicks, blending suspense, drama, and the fear of youthful mistakes catching up with you. While the third installment may have failed to recapture the magic of its predecessors, the franchise as a whole remains a notable part of the teen horror movement.
Whether you’re rewatching the original for its tense, fog-filled atmosphere or nostalgically remembering the era of slasher movies, I Know What You Did Last Summer will always be remembered as one of the defining franchises of its time.
