Jennifer Love Hewitt

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Freddie Prinze Jr.

Ryan Phillippe

Bridgette Wilson-Sampras

Johnny Galecki

Muse Watson

Anne Heche

Stuart Greer

Dan Albright

Rasool J'Han

J. Don Ferguson

Deborah Hobart

Mary McMillan

Lynda Clark

Shea Broom

John Bennes

Jennifer Bland

William Neely

Jonathan Quint

Richard Dale Miller

Mary Neva Huff

David Lee Hartman

Patti D'Arbanville

David F. Maxwell

Stephen McKenna

Catherine Adair

James Edward Ferrell Jr.

John Debney

Neal H. Moritz

Steve Mirkovich

Stokely Chaffin

Gary Wissner

Kevin Williamson

Jim Gillespie

Lois Duncan

Erik Feig

Mary Vernieu

Scott A. Lawson

Jeff Johnson

Nancy Kirhoffer

John O. Wilde

Andrew Menzies

Christopher T. Welch

Yvonne Kubis

Ryan Schaetzle

Marty Keener Cherrix

Cara White

Patricia Story

Greg Schorer

Matthew Iadarola

Brian Risner

Gary Gegan

Ellen Heuer

Denis Crossan

William S. Beasley

John J. Rutchland III

Bonita DeHaven

John D. Milinac

Larry McConkey

Vanessa Jenik

David Frederick

Louis F. DiFelice

Dale DeStefani

Deborah Pollard Matthews

Alan Hook

Bob Brown

Michael Meier

Paige Thomas

Scott Sandine

Gregory Nutt

David Noble

April H. Grantham

Freddie Hice

Shane Summers

John Kreidman

Judith H. Bickerton

Gary W. Lang

Louis D'Esposito

Alyce Fahsholtz

Pauline White-Kassulke

Richard Waldrop

Adryenn Ashley

Christine Moore

Michael Dhonau

E. Michael Hewett

Linda Kamp

Donald Binder

Chantal Feghali

Lisa Marie Rosenberg

Robin Johnston

Stephen C. Peterman

Mark Vena

Jim Bridges

Jay Herron

Zachary M.H. Boozer

Adam Cameron

David B. Nowell

David Curtis

Simon Carey

Jesse Adam Smith

Anne McCarthy

Alex Steyermark

Steve Dayan

Tom Carlson

Michael Hilkene

Beth Bromley

Jeff Atmajian

C. Douglas Cameron

Odin Benitez

Carl Rudisill

Lisa Dempsey

Jennifer Caputo

Troy Robinson

David Orr

Eric Jones

John C. Meier

Marianne M. Scanlon

Ann Hadsell

Walter Kiesling

Kris Ravetto

Petra Bach

John Perkinson

David Sutton

Marilyn Graf

I Know What You Did Last Summer Collection

Horror

Thriller

Mystery

I Know What You Did Last Summer

Summer Knowledge LLC

Mandalay Entertainment

Columbia Pictures

Original Film

United States of America

English

high school

police

blackmail

fisherman

cover-up

friends

revenge

murder

pageant

slasher

killer

teen scream

Ben the Bream.

Kevin Williamson, hot off of the success of his screenplay for Wes Craven's Scream, here adapted the Lois Duncan novel with mixed results.

A bunch of pretty teenagers in a coastal fishing town run over a man in the road and try to cover it up. Not a wise move at the best of times, even more so now as the victim, a hook wielding fisherman, is coming to get them.

And that's pretty much it. Williamson adds some humour into the play, while director Jim Gillespie plays his shock tactics well and keeps the pretty young cast annoying enough for us to want to see the fisherman guy enact revenge.

It sadly gets away from itself in the last quarter once the stalker is revealed, and in truth there's very little imagination gone into the whole pic. But it's a decent night in with beer and popcorn for those after a short sharp shock type horror. 6/10

_**The guilt will haunt you and maybe even KILL you**_

Released in 1997, "I Know What You Did Last Summer" takes place in coastal North Carolina where a group of just-graduated teens experience a tragic event and compound it by foolishly reacting. They swear to carry the secret to their graves, but the next summer it becomes clear that someone knows their secret and murders start piling up. The teens are played by Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ryan Phillippe and Freddie Prinze Jr. Also on hand are Johnny Galecki, Anne Heche and Muse Watson.

This movie is full of slasher clichés, like the killer who's always in the same garb (this time a fisherman's slicker outfit), the slow-methodical walking of the killer (never running) and the undead dead. There are also two blatant "Yeah, right" scenes (noted below). Thankfully, it makes up for it by the stellar coastal locations (strangely shot on BOTH East and West coasts), a quality cast, some effective sequences and the potent moral on haunting guilt that slowly kills ya. The immediate aftermath of the opening accident is particularly well done.

The film runs 99 minutes and shot in Southport, North Carolina, and Jenner, California, and nearby regions of both coasts.

GRADE: B or B- (6.5/10 Stars)

***SPOILER ALERT*** (DON'T READ FURTHER IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE FILM)

Here are the two eye-rolling scenes:

1. The sequence where Max's corpse is found in the trunk with the crabs. It couldn't have been an illusion since Helen didn't yet know Max was dead, so it must've really happened. If so, how would the slicker-killer get the trunk cleaned-up so quickly with no one seeing him in a neighborhood in broad daylight? Also, how did he even get into trunk? Did he have his own personal key? The sequence is just too far-fetched.

2. After Barry is murdered by the killer at the pageant how does he know that the cop and Helen would be driving down the alley by-pass an hour or so later? (I realize the street was blocked off and he might've been the one who set it up, but how did he know this would be the precise route taken by the cop and Helen? And how would he even know Helen would be riding with the cop? It's not like she wouldn't have other friends & family in town with whom she could ride. Anyway, wouldn't people living in the downtown area or other passersby notice a man in full-slicker garb working on his truck?

Sequences like these take intelligent viewers right out of the story, which explains Roger Ebert's response: "After the screening was over and the lights went up, I observed a couple of my colleagues in deep and earnest conversation, trying to resolve twists in the plot. They were applying more thought to the movie than the makers did."

Andre Gonzales

I liked this movie. I wish there was more action and killing but overall pretty good. Has a good cast in it too.

The "I Know What You Did Last Summer" franchise has left a lasting impact on audiences, with the first film being particularly noteworthy for its thrilling and grounded portrayal of a vengeful antagonist. Ben Willis stands out as a compelling and underrated character, bringing a sense of realism to the story without delving into the supernatural realm. Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. deliver captivating performances, drawing viewers in with their charisma and acting prowess.

The sequel, "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer," takes the characters on a harrowing adventure to an island, adding another layer of suspense and terror to the franchise. While some may overlook this installment as a credible sequel, the addition of Brandy Norwood as Carla contributes to the film's appeal and intensity.

However, the franchise takes a misstep with "I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer," introducing supernatural elements that detract from the grounded nature of the original films. This departure from reality diminishes the impact of the storyline and characters, leading to a disappointing third installment that lacks the involvement of the main cast.

The television series based on the franchise offers a different but enjoyable take on the story, adding credibility and entertainment value to the overall franchise. While the series was cut short, fans are eager for a reboot that promises to bring fresh energy to the familiar tale. It is hoped that the original cast will return, providing a seamless continuation of the beloved saga akin to the success of the "Scream" franchise.

I Know What You Did Last Summer( 1997)

If you're going to bury the truth, make sure it stays buried.

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A review by John Chard

Written by John Chard on Wed Oct 21 2015

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