Dear Readers,
Some stories never let go—and I Know What You Did Last Summer is one of them for me.
I was just eight years old when my mom gave me the novel by Lois Duncan as a birthday gift. It was my first real taste of mystery and suspense, and I devoured it. That book opened a whole new world to me. I still have my original copy—its pages a little worn, the cover soft with age—but it remains one of my most treasured possessions.
Years later, in 1997, I was there in the theater when the movie version hit the big screen. I even picked up the tie-in edition of the novel with the film’s cast on the cover. It's still on my shelf today, a perfect blend of nostalgia and fandom.
Over the years, I’ve remained a loyal fan of both the book and the movies. Yes, I know they’re different—the novel is a tense, psychological mystery while the film takes a more slasher-style approach—but I’ve always appreciated both versions for what they are. Each explores guilt, secrets, and consequences in their own unforgettable way.
Of course, I have to mention the 1998 sequel, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. I absolutely loved it because it picked up right where the first film left off. There was something satisfying about following Julie’s journey further and seeing how the trauma of that first summer continued to haunt her. It had suspense, tropical storms, and more than a few jumpscares—I was all in.
As for I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer... well, I won’t say anything at all. My mom always taught me, if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. So I’ll leave it at that.
I also gave the Amazon Prime TV series a try when it came out. It had some interesting moments and a modern twist, and while it was okay for what it was, it just didn’t have the emotional impact or the classic tone I loved from the book or the original film. It lacked that spark—the eerie weight of regret, the suspense that crawls under your skin, the hook (pun intended) that keeps you invested.
And now, nearly three decades later… I’m hooked again.
The new I Know What You Did Last Summer movie is hitting theaters July 18, 2025, and I couldn’t be more excited. This time, it’s a legacy sequel, bringing together new characters and old favorites. Yes, that means Jennifer Love Hewitt is back as Julie James and Freddie Prinze Jr. returns as Ray Bronson. Seeing them together again feels like coming home to a story that never truly left us.
This time around, a new group of friends finds themselves haunted after a deadly accident, and they must turn to the only two people who truly understand what they’re going through—Julie and Ray. A new generation meets the past, and secrets are ready to surface again.
And yes—I’ve watched the trailer multiple times. That moment when Julie stands in the rain and shouts, “What are you waiting for?!” gave me chills all over again. That line alone brings back the adrenaline, the dread, and the thrill that made the original unforgettable.
Directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, with a script by Robinson, Leah McKendrick, and Sam Lansky, this film looks like it’s honoring the legacy while carving out a fresh, suspenseful path for today’s audience. A blend of modern horror and classic callbacks? Count me in.
I can’t wait to sit in that darkened theater, popcorn in hand, heart racing as the opening credits roll. For me, this is more than a movie—it’s a return to the story that made me fall in love with suspense fiction in the first place.
So yes, I’m ready.
What are you waiting for?
I’m HOOKED AGAIN.
—
Luis Ammerman