I’m as surprised as you, but it looks like decent horror reboots might be back, as I Know What You Did Last Summer gets overwhelmingly positive first reactions

In an unexpected turn of events, the forthcoming horror reboot I Know What You Did Last Summer has premiered to extremely favorable initial responses, demonstrating that the unfortunate horror remake hex can indeed be lifted.

While the film has not yet secured a Rotten Tomatoes rating, I Know What You Did Last Summer had its global debut in Los Angeles on July 14, with attendees and other early viewers expressing their feedback online.

A multitude of viewers have commended the film for being a splendid legacy sequel that honors the 1997 original. “I was all about every wicked legacy nod,” stated Nerdtropolis writer Sean Tajipour. “I Know What You Did Last Summer truly respects the original while creating something novel, enjoyable, and terrifying, thanks to a fantastic young cast.”

In a similar vein, We Live Entertainment’s Scott Menzel remarked, “I Know What You Did Last Summer is the ideal legacy sequel, embodying everything the new Scream installments aspired to be but fell short of,” adding, “it builds on the lore of the original with some critical updates… I’m thrilled to see a film that genuinely delivers on its promises.”

Others have noted how the new cast shines, even though the original film’s cast is so iconic and seemingly hard to surpass. “I literally exited the theater wanting to see it again immediately,” mentioned Den of Geek writer Sophia Soto, “The ensemble was phenomenal, both new and returning. They all collaborated so well.”

Check out additional reactions below.

The success of I Know What You Did Last Summer thus far has come as somewhat of a surprise, as horror remakes frequently fail to live up to the standards of their predecessors. Nonetheless, there have been films that match, or even exceed, the original, like IT (2017), The Thing (1982), and dare we say The Hills Have Eyes (2006). Even the 2003 film Texas Chainsaw Massacre serves as a commendable remake of Tobe Hooper’s classic.

It is crucial to note that the new film is not a remake but rather a reboot or a long-awaited sequel, if you prefer. The initial movie, featuring Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, and Freddie Prinze Jr., tells the story of four teens who are pursued by a hook-wielding maniac precisely one year after they hit and run a man. The sequel, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, followed in 1998.

The 2025 iteration follows a similar storyline. Set 27 years after the original, another hook-wielding killer emerges and starts targeting a new group, you guessed it, one year after they ‘killed’ someone with their vehicle. The new movie features Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Jonah Hauer-King, Tyriq Withers, Sarah Pidgeon, Billy Campbell, Gabbriette Bechtel, Austin Nichols, and welcomes back Prinze Jr. and Hewitt.

I Know What You Did Last Summer is set to hit theaters on July 18.