I Know What You Did Last Summer Is A Nostalgic Splash with Modern Waves

Visually this film is a love letter to the 90’s: moody lighting, preppy polos and girls who look like actual people rather than walking coat hangers draped in athleisure 24/7. Madelyn Cline and Chase Sui Wonders lead the charge with over the top performances that shockingly anchor the film. The casting overall is a refreshing cocktail of talent that oozes coolness but never quite reaches the iconic chill factor of Ryan Phillippe and Sarah Michelle Gellar. The big surprise MVPs? Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr., returning not just as Easter eggs but as pivotal players who bridge the past and present with a wink and a shiver. Of course, not everything is smooth sailing. Some plot holes are large enough to drive a fishing boat through—like the cryptic church subplot that seems to have been lifted from a different movie. Moreover, Gabbriette as the annoying podcaster is so terrible that I was actually cheering her swift exit. Despite its flaws, this latest iteration has energy while balancing reverence for its roots. It’s a fun ride—one you’ll enjoy, even if you can’t remember exactly what they did last summer.