Some films really deserve their reputation, some don’t, and then there are those that just stick with you, flaws and all. For me, Jim Gillespie’s I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) falls into that last category. It’s not a standout horror movie or especially clever like some others, but there’s something about this late 90s slasher that keeps drawing me back. It’s definitely a guilty pleasure.

I think my first experience with the film explains why I like it so much. I watched it as a kid while I was in the hospital with a broken arm. Maybe it was just the novelty of seeing a real movie from a hospital bed, or maybe it was how cool and sinister the horror felt. Whatever the reason, this film has a kind of magic that’s stuck with me. For me, it’s a piece of the past.

The plot setup is pretty cookie-cutter, really. Four friends (Julie (Jennifer Love Hewitt), Helen (Sarah Michelle Gellar), Barry (Ryan Phillippe), and Ray (Freddie Prinze Jr.)) are involved in a hit-and-run on a remote coastal road. They think they’ve killed a man, so they get rid of the body and agree to never speak of it again. A year later, someone starts sending them threatening messages, and it’s clear the secret won’t stay buried.

The film is based on Lois Duncan’s 1973 novel and sticks to a simple slasher formula like glue. Kevin Williamson’s script, written right after Scream, captures the appeal of teenagers in danger, though it’s less clever and funny than Craven’s movie. It’s pretty familiar: the characters make bad choices and get into situations that are bound to end badly.

Gillespie does a great job with the film’s atmosphere. The foggy streets, empty beaches, and bleak fishing village make the coastal setting really effective. The contrast between the sunny holiday vibe and the constant sense of danger underneath is powerful. The fisherman in his oilskins, carrying a huge hook, is a simple but believable horror villain.

The performances are enjoyable, even if they’re not outstanding. Hewitt does well as the heroine, making Julie’s guilt and growing desperation feel real. Gellar stands out as Helen, with her ambitions and shaky confidence making her character more interesting. Phillippe brings just enough arrogance to Barry, and Prinze Jr. is fine as Ray. The roles aren’t demanding, but together they make a likable group.

The plot is where the film struggles. The mystery is easy to figure out, and some of the so-called creepy moments are pretty obvious. The supporting characters barely exist, and the ending relies on typical slasher movie tricks. For a story like this, the body count is actually pretty low.

Yet those complaints seem pretty much irrelevant. I Know What You Did Last Summer is a great example of 90s horror; it has a great villain, an effective soundtrack, and plenty of seaside menace to make you think twice about a midnight stroll along the prom.

It’s not original or a slasher classic, but it has its own charm, a strong atmosphere, and plenty of nostalgia. Sometimes, that’s all you really need.

For me, it’s always been the movie I found while recovering from a broken arm, and maybe that’s why I still like it so much. Not every guilty pleasure needs an explanation.

Three Similar Movies:

• Scream (1996)
• Urban Legend (1998)
• Valentine (2001)

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