2025’s Divisive Sequel To A Classic Horror Never Deserved Its 36% Rotten Tomatoes Rating

The 2025 sequel to I Know What You Did Final Summer season could have been hated by critics, however the slasher sequel was surprisingly sensible, humorous, and unique. The I Know What You Did Final Summer season films have at all times struggled to step out of the lengthy shadow forged by their apparent inspiration, the Scream collection.

The 1997 unique I Know What You Did Final Summer season is technically primarily based on creator Lois Duncan’s 1973 novel of the identical title, however screenwriter Kevin Williamson’s script goes far past its YA thriller in making a slasher story. Recent off the success of Scream, Williamson utilized that collection’ acquainted system to a unfastened adaptation.

There was a faceless killer, a listing of suspects, a small city with darkish secrets and techniques, and a bunch of pop culture-savvy teenagers making an attempt to determine who was stalking them. The next movie I Know What You Did Final Summer season modified this system a bit, however this wasn’t essentially a very good factor.

2025’s ‘I Know What You Did Final Summer season’ Is Surprisingly Humorous

The primary sequel, 1998’s I Nonetheless Know What You Did Final Summer season, was derided by critics, however the 2006 Supernatural reboot was launched straight to DVD, ending the collection after practically twenty years. “I At all times Know What You Did Final Summer season” acquired the collection’ worst rankings exterior of the 2022 TV reboot.

So when the 2025 I Know What You Did Final Summer season sequel was first introduced, expectations have been hardly excessive. A promising forged, together with Our bodies stars Chase Sui Wonders and Madeleine Cline, helped a bit, as did the addition of Do Revenge director Jennifer Katin Robinson. Nonetheless, the movie acquired solely 36% from critics upon launch.

It is a bit exhausting to discern the explanations behind these unhealthy opinions, nevertheless it looks as if some reviewers had already made up their minds earlier than seeing the sequel. Admittedly, the long-awaited sequel is creepier and goofier than the unique movie, and consists of a number of the self-conscious humor of current slashers like Coronary heart Eyes and the aforementioned Physique’s Our bodies.

Nonetheless, this isn’t a nasty factor. As a result of the unique movie is duller than many viewers keep in mind upon rewatching it. The murders in 2025’s I Know What You Did Final Summer season are much more ugly and unique than their 1997 predecessor, and it is actually exhausting to foretell who will stay and who will die within the sequel.

Final summer season’s reboot of ‘I Know What You Did’ improved on the unique movie

This may increasingly clarify why the sequel was capable of land on HBO Max’s prime 10 films record and preserve that spot for every week in January 2026. Today, HBO Max has grow to be the house of horror amongst streaming providers, because of a mixture of blockbusters like “Sinners” and modest indies like “The Beldham.”

The success of I Know What You Did Final Summer season on streaming providers in 2025 exhibits how fashionable the movie was with audiences, regardless of critics’ issues. Parts that delay critics, equivalent to over-the-top characterization, broad humor, and an absence of likable characters, appear to have appealed to streaming viewers.

It is also value noting that 2025’s I Know What You Did Final Summer season grossed $65 million in theaters on a price range of solely $18 million, so this film was sufficient to impress audiences when it was launched in theaters. The open-ended nature of the movie’s ending, together with the mid-credits sashiko of 2025’s I Know What You Did Final Summer season, means a sequel is prone to be produced regardless of its largely adverse opinions.

As shocking as it could sound, that is nice information because the collection is in its finest place in years for the reason that 2025 sequel. 2025’s I Know What You Did Final Summer season could not have been well liked by critics, however the unique movie did solely marginally higher with a 47% critic rating and 41% viewers rating.

The “I Know What You Did Final Summer season” collection was inconsistent.

In distinction, 2025’s I Know What You Did Final Summer season presently has the collection’ highest rankings, at a comparatively spectacular 67%. With Scream 7 nonetheless in manufacturing regardless of numerous main manufacturing points, it would not be shocking if this belated slasher sequel will get a sequel.

That is nice information since 2025’s I Know What You Did Final Summer season is unquestionably the second finest film within the collection, however there’s additionally an argument that the sequel might be one of the best film within the collection. The 2025 launch is unquestionably higher than the unique, which reveals a ugly killer and has few memorable murders.

The perfect a part of the 1997 unique was Sarah Michelle Gellar’s memorable flip as Helen Shivers, however her return for a cameo within the 2025 sequel is much more memorable than the bigger roles of unique stars Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jennifer Love Hewitt. So 2025’s I Know What You Did Final Summer season shouldn’t be solely higher than its popularity, however higher than its predecessor.