Pop Culture Happy Hour: "I Know What You Did Last Summer" Episode Summary

Release Date: July 22, 2025
Podcast: Pop Culture Happy Hour by NPR
Hosts: Linda Holmes, Glen Weldon, Stephen Thompson, Aisha Harris
Guests: Roxanna Hadati (Vulture TV Critic), Rhianna Cruz (Freelance Music and Culture Journalist), Jordan Crucciola (Writer, Producer, Host of "Feeling Seen" Podcast)

Introduction

In this episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour, host Stephen Thompson and his panel delve into the 2025 sequel of the horror franchise "I Know What You Did Last Summer." The discussion centers around whether the new installment lives up to the legacy of the original 1997 film, exploring themes, character development, and overall reception.

Recap of the Original Film

The original "I Know What You Did Last Summer" (1997) introduced audiences to a group of teenagers—Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, and Freddie Prinze Jr.—who become targets of a vengeful killer after attempting to cover up a tragic car accident. The film was a commercial success, but its subsequent sequels failed to maintain the same level of acclaim.

Overview of the 2025 Sequel

Nearly three decades later, the franchise returns with a new sequel titled "I Know What You Did Last Summer." The plot mirrors the original, featuring a fresh cast of young characters led by Ava (Chase Swee Wonders) and Danika (Madeline Klein). The story unfolds in Southport, North Carolina, the same town where the original murders occurred, and reintroduces key survivors Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and Ray Bronson (Freddie Prinze Jr.), who now run a local bar.

Guest Reactions and Analysis

Jordan Crucciola's Perspective: A Defender of the Sequel

Timestamp: [04:14]

Jordan Crucciola expresses enthusiasm for the sequel despite negative critical consensus. She shares a personal encounter with the director, Jennifer Cayton Robinson, highlighting her support for the film:

"I bumped into Jennifer Cayton Robinson... and I am here to say I am thrilled with the fruits of her labor." ([04:14])

Jordan appreciates the new cast, praising Chase Swee Wonders and Madeline Klein for their dynamic performances. She highlights specific scenes, such as the harpoon gun attack, as standout moments:

"I was scared throughout this movie. I was genuinely shocked at the consensus feedback on this." ([11:00])

Roxanna Hadati's Perspective: Moderate Entertainment with Reservations

Timestamp: [05:19]

Roxanna Hadati finds the sequel "moderately entertaining" but raises concerns about the film's tone and direction:

"The movie itself does not know how much it is satirizing the entire idea of what it's doing versus genuinely redoing the first movie." ([05:19])

She questions whether the film is intentionally humorous or genuinely horror, suggesting an unclear narrative purpose:

"I also think that a lot of this movie is also unclear as to whether it likes the characters that it has created or like if it hates young people in general." ([05:19])

Roxanna criticizes the lack of character depth and chemistry, longing for the emotional connection seen in the original:

"The characters were so thin for me, the relationships did not feel lived in in any particular way." ([12:35])

Rhianna Cruz's Perspective: Critical and Negative Reception

Timestamp: [06:31]

Rhianna Cruz delivers a scathing critique of the sequel, citing issues with plot coherence, character motivations, and overall execution:

"I did not like this movie. I did not find it enjoyable. I was rolling my eyes the entire time." ([06:31])

She compares the film unfavorably to other horror reboots like "Scream," "Final Destination," and "Halloween," highlighting its lack of inventiveness and emotional stakes:

"This movie lacks the campiness of the Scream reboot... it feels disposable." ([07:00])

Rhianna questions the film's central conceit, noting that the original's theme of guilt over a car accident is absent in the sequel:

"The initial accident, nobody hit somebody with their car. ... they all guilty about it." ([07:00])

She rates the movie severely, initially giving it two out of five stars and contemplating reducing it further:

"I would give it, you know, on Letterboxd, I gave it a two out of five... I think I gotta bump this down to half star." ([19:52])

Comparative Analysis

The panelists draw comparisons between the sequel and other horror franchises, particularly "Scream." They discuss how "Scream" effectively balances campiness with horror elements, a balance they feel the sequel fails to achieve:

"The Scream reboots... leaned into the campiness that has always been inherent to the Scream franchise." ([20:54])

Roxanna adds that the sequel lacks the emotional depth concerning the characters' impending adulthood, which was a central theme in the original:

"This is about the impending doom of becoming an adult. And I just... I didn't get that from this, really." ([22:00])

Notable Scenes and Cinematic Elements

• Jump Scares and Flashbacks: Roxanna criticizes the film's use of jump scares and flashbacks as being overly reliant on modern platforms like TikTok, leading to a disjointed viewing experience:

  "There are moments here that are really bloody and really gruesome and some really great images... but they are weighed down by... the script." ([17:59])

• Cinematography: Rhianna points out the film's vertical filming style, tailored for TikTok consumption, detracting from the cinematic experience:

  "The cinematography looks like it's all vertical for TikTok videos... designed to watch in like 180 parts." ([07:00])

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The consensus among the panelists leans towards disappointment with the sequel. While Jordan remains a staunch defender, Roxanna and Rhianna highlight significant shortcomings in script, character development, and tonal consistency. Rhianna's final rating underscores the film's lackluster reception:

"I think I gotta bump this down to half star." ([19:59])

Overall, the episode underscores the challenges of reviving beloved franchises and the high expectations set by original films. The panelists emphasize the importance of maintaining narrative coherence, character depth, and tonal balance to honor the legacy of iconic movies.

Find more discussions on "I Know What You Did Last Summer" and other pop culture topics on Facebook and Letterboxd.