New thriller that critics say is 'greatest legacy sequel' is out on Friday

A brand new thriller is hitting our screens this Friday, nearly 30 years on from its predecessor. The epic thriller with a stellar cast has also received some pretty high praise already. I Know What You Did Last Summer is a sequel slasher film to the original film released in 1998. It is the fourth movie in the franchise and is directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, who co-wrote the screenplay with Sam Lansky from a story by Leah McKendrick and Robinson.

The film stars Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Jonah Hauer-King, Tyriq Withers, Sarah Pidgeon, Billy Campbell, Gabbriette Bechtel and Austin Nichols. It also features Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jennifer Love Hewitt, who are reprising their roles from the original movie.

Critics have already been singing the movie's praises with one reviewer who posts on X under the name Films By Juan stating: "#IKnowWhatYouDidLastSummer is one of the greatest legacy sequels! With excellent kills, a thrilling pace and a fantastic ensemble, notably Love Hewitt and Prinze Jr., who DELIVERED some of the best parts of the movie."

Juan continued: "It's undeniably a perfect summer slasher classic."

Writer Sophia Soto also posted their thoughts on X. They said: "I can finally talk about #IKnowWhatYouDidLastSummer, which was my favourite movie of 2025 so far, to the point where I literally left the theatre saying I wanted to see it again immediately. The cast was phenomenal, new and returning. They all worked so well off of each other."

The film's synopsis reads: "When five friends inadvertently cause a deadly car accident, they cover up their involvement and make a pact to keep it a secret rather than face the consequences. One year later, the past comes back to haunt them as they learn someone knows what they did last summer. Stalked by a mysterious killer, they soon seek help from two survivors of the legendary Southport massacre of 1997."

However, not everyone agrees. Box office predictions are not meeting expectations, with some believing the sequel did not live up to the anticipation.

A top critic wrote via Roger Ebert: "History may have given the first film a reputation as dumb fun, but this one's just dumb."

I Know What You Did Last Summer is released in cinemas from July 18.