The film I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), roughly translated as I Know What You Did Last Summer, is a prominent horror-thriller of American cinema in the late 1990s. Based on the novel of the same name by author Lois Duncan, the film was directed by Jim Gillespie and quickly became one of the symbols of the slasher film genre (serial killer) of that period.
The film revolves around four young friends: Julie, Helen, Barry and Ray - who are enjoying their last summer after graduating from high school. One fateful night, on the way back from a party, they accidentally caused an accident and hit a strange man. In a panic, the group decided to throw the victim's body into the sea and vowed never to mention it again.
A year later, Julie - now a college student - received an ano
nymous letter with the terrifying words: "I know what you did last summer". From here, creepy events begin to happen. Each member of the group is stalked, threatened, and killed one by one by a mysterious person. Julie and the survivors are forced to return to investigate the truth, find out who is behind the bloody attacks and whether the victim from the past is really dead.
The highlight of I Know What You Did Last Summer is the way it builds a tense, mysterious atmosphere and dramatic scares. The villain with a raincoat and a sharp hook has become a classic symbol of the horror film genre. In addition, the promising young cast such as Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe also contribute to the great appeal of the film.
Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, I Know What You Did Last Summer was very successful commercially and was warmly received by young audiences. Not only did the film kick off the teen horror film trend of the late 20th century, it also spawned a series of sequels and became part of popular culture.
In short, I Know What You Did Last Summer is an engaging film with a suspenseful, dramatic and dark plot. This is a must-see for those who love classic horror films, especially stories revolving around secrets, guilt and revenge.
