🎬 Movie Review: I’ll Never Forget What You Did Last Summer (2025)
“The past never forgets. And neither will they.”
I’ll Never Forget What You Did Last Summer (2025) reboots the iconic slasher franchise with a fresh, yet eerie twist, drawing inspiration from the original while diving deeper into the trauma of its characters. Directed by Ari Aster, the film expertly combines suspense, psychological horror, and slasher tropes, resulting in a movie that is both terrifying and emotionally charged. It’s a haunting continuation for fans of the original, taking the tension of the first film and amplifying it to new, unsettling heights.
Set 25 years after the deadly events of the first film, the survivors — Julie James (played by Jennifer Love Hewitt) and Ray Bronson (played by Freddie Prinze Jr.) — are still haunted by the horrific night when they thought they had escaped the grasp of the hook-wielding killer. However, the past isn’t done with them yet. As the anniversary of the murder resurfaces, they’re drawn back into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse when a new killer, inspired by the same methods, begins targeting them again — but this time, the stakes are more personal than ever before.
The story delves into the psychological aftermath of the first killings, exploring themes of guilt, survival, and revenge. Julie, now an accomplished psychologist, faces her own breakdown as she begins receiving cryptic messages from the new killer. Meanwhile, Ray, who has distanced himself from his past, is forced to confront the trauma that has never truly left him. The tension between the characters adds emotional depth to the slasher formula, grounding the horror in real human fears and unresolved trauma.
What sets this sequel apart is its slow-burn pacing and unsettling atmosphere. Unlike the fast-paced, gore-heavy slasher films of the past, I’ll Never Forget What You Did Last Summer takes its time building suspense, letting the dread creep under your skin. The film employs a psychological element, making viewers question whether the horrors unfolding are truly real or if they are the characters’ repressed memories coming to life. Aster’s direction creates a sense of unease in every scene, amplified by the eerie sound design and haunting score by Johnny Jewel.
While the kills are certainly brutal — as expected from a slasher — it’s the emotional weight of the characters’ journeys that make this film stand out. Newcomer Chloe Grace Moretz plays Lena, a woman who believes she’s the key to ending the cycle of violence. Her character’s deep connection to the original events adds an interesting layer to the plot, and her chilling backstory adds a sense of dread to every scene. The cinematography is gorgeous yet dark, using stark contrasts and sharp angles to emphasize the claustrophobic and isolating environment that the characters find themselves in.
Final Verdict: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
I’ll Never Forget What You Did Last Summer (2025) is a welcome return to the franchise, offering a psychological twist on the classic slasher genre. Ari Aster’s direction and the strong performances, particularly from Hewitt and Prinze Jr., elevate the film from being a mere sequel into a haunting exploration of trauma, revenge, and the inescapability of the past. It may not be for everyone, especially those expecting nonstop slasher thrills, but for fans of atmospheric horror, it’s a chilling and emotional ride worth taking.
