I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)

I Know What You Did Last Summer is a 1997 American slasher film directed by Jim Gillespie, written by Kevin Williamson, and starring Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe and Freddie Prinze Jr. It is loosely based on the 1973 novel of the same name by Lois Duncan and is the first installment in the I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise. The film centers on four young friends who are stalked by a hook-wielding killer one year after covering up a car accident in which they killed a man. The film also draws inspiration from the urban legend known as the Hook, and the 1980s slasher films Prom Night (1980) and The House on Sorority Row (1982).

via Wikipedia

This is a very 90s film. The soundtrack for one is a dead giveaway, but also this is a film about high school kids and none of them has a cell phone. There’s even the classic scene of a car breaking down and walking to someone’s house to use their phone to call for help.

I’ve got some nostalgia for this movie, as I was in high school at the time this movie released. I will say that nostalgia does cloud my judgement somewhat, it’s not all I base my move reviews on. That would make a very unbalanced review now, wouldn’t it?

Like I said, very 90s.

While that does date it a bit (and the cars), there’s still enough teenage angst, hormones, sex appeal, and action behind what actually happened last summer. And it’s not as straightforward as it seems.

My Ranking: ★ ★ ★