If you thought the hook-wielding killer was gone for good, think again. I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998) is the suspenseful and blood-soaked sequel to the 1997 teen slasher hit that left audiences wary of summer vacations. This time, the screams echo off the shores of a remote island, and the past isn’t done haunting its survivors.
Plot Recap: A Vacation Turned Nightmare
Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt) is still haunted by the events of the previous summer — and rightfully so. After surviving the brutal attacks of Ben Willis, the mysterious fisherman who hunted her and her friends, she tries to move on. But trauma has a way of following you.
When Julie and her best friend Karla (played by Brandy) win a seemingly innocent trip to the Bahamas, it feels like a perfect escape. They’re joined by Karla’s boyfriend Tyrell (Mekhi Phifer) and college friend Will (Matthew Settle). But the vacation quickly turns deadly when a tropical storm traps them on the island… and the hook man returns.
Bigger Body Count, Higher Stakes
Unlike its predecessor, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer amps up the slasher elements with more elaborate kills, jump scares, and a creepy, storm-battered hotel that sets the mood perfectly. It blends the glossy teen horror formula of the late ’90s with tropical isolation, making viewers feel as trapped as the characters themselves.
Returning Favorites & New Faces
Jennifer Love Hewitt delivers another strong performance as the emotionally tormented Julie. Freddie Prinze Jr. returns as Ray, Julie’s boyfriend, who becomes suspicious of the trip and sets out to save her. Brandy brings charm and energy to the role of Karla, while Jack Black makes a surprise (and hilarious) appearance as a dreadlocked stoner.
Critical Reception and Cult Following
While critics were mixed on the film’s plot and predictability, fans of ’90s slashers still hold it close to their nostalgic hearts. It’s a quintessential sequel — not necessarily deeper, but definitely bloodier, louder, and more intense. Plus, that eerie karaoke machine scene? Iconic.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in the mood for a throwback slasher with palm trees, paranoia, and a killer who doesn’t know how to quit, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer delivers the goods. It may not reinvent the genre, but it’s a fun, fright-filled ride that reminds you: secrets don’t stay buried forever.
