The original I Know What You Did Last Summer is one of the most iconic slasher films in cinema, and for producer Neal H. Moritz, it was time to bring the horror to a new generation of fans. “Horror fans have always had a soft spot for this franchise, and we felt there was still something here – a great central idea that could resonate with a new generation. We came at the new film with passion for the material, a willingness to evolve the story, and a real respect for the fans who still talk about the original,” Moritz, who also produced the original 1997 film, says.
In I Know What You Did Last Summer, five friends get into a car accident, and rather than face the consequences of their actions, swore to keep the incident a secret. Their past comes back to haunt them a year later as a stalker pursues them. Someone knows what they did last summer, and they discover that the nightmare has happened before. Desperate for answers, they turn to the two survivors of the 1997 Southport Massacre for help.
Director and writer Jennifer Kaytin Robinson shares how formative the 1997 I Know What You Did Last summer as a filmmaker. “The original was the first R-rated movie I ever snuck into,” she recalls. “My babysitter wanted to see it, and I ended up going with her. Afterwards, my mom got really angry, but I didn’t care because I was so mesmerized by it.”
Handling such a beloved franchise, Robinson feels like she wants to innovate upon what made I Know What You Did Last Summer so memorable. “I wanted the film to be big, brash and scary, but also retain the crackly fun, clever, witty vibe of the first movie,” Robinson says. “We made certain that Kevin Williamson’s amazing tone was present, while making sure to offer a fresh take. I think the tone rides that perfect line between modern horror and throwback summer slasher.”
Robinson feels like what can get audiences hooked, no pun intended, to the film is how the premise of human error is universally relatable. “This movie is about people making a mistake, then making the wrong choice, and the consequences that follow. It’s a deeply human story. Anyone could mess up like our characters do. That’s what sucks you into the story, because you’re thinking, what would I do in this situation? For me, horror is most interesting when it’s grounded in very real stakes,” she says.
The nightmare begins as I Know What You Did Last Summer is arriving in Philippine cinemas on July 30. Connect with the hashtag #IKnowWhatYouDidLastSummer @columbiapicph