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, based on the 1973 novel by Lois Duncan. It’s a moody, suspense-filled ride through teenage guilt, secrets, and a killer wielding a fish hook. The film not only became a defining entry in the 1990s slasher revival but also helped solidify the post-Scream horror aesthetic.

Detailed Summary

A Night to Regret

On July 4th in a small coastal town, four friends—Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt), Ray Bronson (Freddie Prinze Jr.), Helen Shivers (Sarah Michelle Gellar), and Barry Cox (Ryan Phillippe)—are driving along a dark road after partying at the beach. Ray, who is driving, hits a man walking along the road. In a panic, and believing they would be ruined if the accident was reported, the group decides to dump the body into the ocean. The man seemingly wakes up as they do this, but Barry hits him with an oar, and he disappears beneath the waves.

One Year Later

Julie returns from college and receives a mysterious letter: “I know what you did last summer.” She reconnects with the others, who are all clearly affected in different ways. Barry is angry, Helen’s dreams of being an actress have failed, and Ray has become withdrawn.

The letter ignites paranoia. Barry suspects local fisherman Max (Johnny Galecki), who had a crush on Julie. Shortly after, Max is gruesomely killed by a man in a slicker wielding a hook.

Hooked and Haunted

Barry is attacked at the gym and nearly killed. Helen’s hair is chopped off in her sleep, and a threatening message is written on her mirror. Julie finds a corpse in the trunk of her car, but when she brings others to see it—nothing is there. The killer is clearly taunting them, manipulating their fear.

The group discovers that the man they hit may not have been who they thought. Julie investigates further and finds out about David Egan, a man who had died in an apparent accident a year prior. But she suspects someone else—someone connected to Egan—might have been the man they hit.

The Pieces Come Together

Julie visits David Egan’s sister, who gives her a photo of David with a man named Ben Willis. The big reveal: Ben Willis was the man they hit. He had just murdered David Egan (who he blamed for his daughter’s death in a car crash) and was walking along the road when they accidentally ran him down. So essentially, the group had unknowingly covered up the attempted murder of a murderer.

Movie Ending

The final sequence takes place on July 4th, one year after the initial hit-and-run. Julie realizes Ben Willis is alive and is the one tormenting them. He has been planning revenge for what they did to him.

Helen is pursued through a parade and eventually killed in an alley after a dramatic and tense chase—arguably one of the most iconic death scenes in ’90s slasher history. Barry is also murdered earlier that evening.

Julie boards Ben’s fishing boat to warn Ray, only to discover it’s his boat. Ben knocks Ray overboard and begins to chase Julie through the vessel in a terrifying game of cat and mouse. She discovers his trophy room—filled with newspaper clippings, photos, and evidence of his stalkings.

Ray manages to return and saves Julie just as Ben corners her. The two trap Ben’s hand in some rigging equipment, and he’s launched into the sea. His hand is cut off by the boat’s machinery as he falls. His body is not recovered.

In the final scene, Julie is back in college and seems to be recovering. She receives another note—identical to the first—but this time it’s written on a shower door. Suddenly, a figure crashes through the glass. The screen cuts to black. It’s left ambiguous whether this is a dream, a hallucination, or a real threat.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, I Know What You Did Last Summer does not have a post-credits scene. The final scare in the locker room serves as the film’s last twist and leaves the door open for a sequel, which eventually arrived in 1998 with I Still Know What You Did Last Summer.

Type of Movie

I Know What You Did Last Summer is a slasher horror film with elements of teen thriller and mystery. It fits into the wave of late ’90s teen horror films that followed the success of Scream.

Cast

• Jennifer Love Hewitt as Julie James
• Sarah Michelle Gellar as Helen Shivers
• Freddie Prinze Jr. as Ray Bronson
• Ryan Phillippe as Barry Cox
• Bridgette Wilson as Elsa Shivers
• Johnny Galecki as Max Neurick
• Muse Watson as Ben Willis

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by John Debney, with a soundtrack that featured a mix of ’90s alt-rock and pop tracks from artists like Kula Shaker, Soul Asylum, and Toad the Wet Sprocket. The moody, eerie score helps heighten the tension throughout.

Filming Locations

• Southport, North Carolina – Most of the film was shot here. Its charming, coastal look added contrast to the film’s dark tone. The Fourth of July parade and docks scenes were all filmed on location, contributing to the realistic and immersive setting.
• Some interior scenes were shot in Los Angeles.

Awards and Nominations

While the film didn’t win any major critical awards, it was a commercial hit and received several MTV Movie Award nominations:

• MTV Movie Award for Best Female Performance (Jennifer Love Hewitt – Nominated)
• Teen Choice Awards: Nominated in categories like “Best Movie Actress” and “Hottest Actor”

It’s since gained cult status.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Lois Duncan, author of the original novel, disliked the film adaptation, especially the violence. Her book was more of a suspense thriller, not a slasher.
• The film was written by Kevin Williamson, who had just penned Scream.
• Jennifer Love Hewitt’s iconic scream (“What are you waiting for, huh?!”) was suggested by a young fan on set.
• Sarah Michelle Gellar filmed this between seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Inspirations and References

• Based on Lois Duncan’s 1973 novel of the same name.
• The film was heavily influenced by the success of Scream and mimicked its formula of attractive young stars, pop-culture awareness, and stylish violence.
• The original book was more of a whodunit, with no killer in a rain slicker.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

• Early drafts of the script had a different killer reveal, closer to the book’s twist.
• A longer death scene for Max was filmed but cut for pacing.
• An alternate version of the ending had Julie waking up in bed, implying the shower scene was just a nightmare, but test audiences preferred the jump scare.

Book Adaptations and Differences

• The original novel by Lois Duncan did not involve a slasher killer or brutal murders.
• In the book, the characters are haunted by someone who knows their secret but aren’t killed one by one.
• The killer in the film, Ben Willis, doesn’t appear in the book.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• The accident and the decision to dump the body.
• Julie screaming “What are you waiting for?!” in the street.
• Helen’s final chase scene through the parade and alley.
• The final boat confrontation between Julie, Ray, and Ben.

Iconic Quotes

• “What are you waiting for, huh?!” – Julie
• “If you’re gonna have a tattoo, why not just get one that says ‘death row’?” – Barry
• “We take this to our grave!” – Barry

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Ray’s boat is named “Billy Blue”, a fake identity used during Julie’s investigation.
• The killer’s rain slicker was intentionally chosen to reflect fishermen of the coastal town and to echo urban legend imagery.
• The final shower scene is a callback to the “mirror writing” trope common in psychological horror.

Trivia

• The movie was made for around $17 million and grossed over $125 million worldwide.
• It was shot before Scream was released but came out afterward, benefiting from the slasher revival.
• The script was sold before the book rights were fully secured.
• There was real fog on set during night shoots in North Carolina, which helped with the eerie look.

Why Watch?

If you’re a fan of ’90s nostalgia, teen slashers, and twisty horror with a revenge plot, this is essential viewing. It’s got suspense, scares, and memorable performances from rising stars of the era. The film paved the way for many imitators and remains one of the decade’s most influential horror entries.

Director’s Other Movies

• D-Tox (2002)
• Venom (2005) – Not to be confused with the Marvel film
• Backtrack (2015)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Scream (1996)
• Urban Legend (1998)
• Final Destination (2000)
• House of Wax (2005)
• Cherry Falls (2000)
• I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)
• The Faculty (1998)