Directed by
Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
Made by
Columbia Pictures
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
On July 4, 1996, in the small town of Southport, North Carolina, a group of friends found themselves caught in a horrifying and life-changing event. Julie James (jennifer-love-hewitt) and her friends—Ray Bronson (freddie-prinze-jr), Helen Shivers, and Barry Cox—were driving home from a beach trip when they accidentally struck a pedestrian with their car. Fearing the consequences, they made a split-second decision to hide the incident, with Barry and Helen attempting to dispose of the body in the water. Things took a darker turn when the pedestrian unexpectedly woke up and clung to Helen as they tried to flee. Barry, panicked, pushed him into the water, and the group agreed to keep their secret, swearing never to speak of the event again.
A year passes, and Julie (jennifer-love-hewitt) returns home from college, only to find that her friends have all gone their separate ways, hindered by the trauma of that night. Soon after, she receives a chilling note reading, “I know what you did last summer”, which incites a wave of fear and suspicion among the friends. Julie, along with Helen (madelyn-cline) and Barry (todd-giebenhain), tries to uncover who is behind this threat.
Their investigation leads them to Ray (freddie-prinze-jr), who claims he also received a mysterious letter. The group quickly realizes that their dangerous secret may be catching up with them, especially when Max, one of their friends, is brutally murdered by a figure dressed in a raincoat wielding a hook. This killer terrorizes the town, ambushing Barry later that night by stealing and driving off in his car.
As tension escalates, Julie delves into local newspaper archives and links their accident to a man named David Egan. She and Helen visit David’s sister, Missy, who reveals that David supposedly committed suicide out of guilt for a tragic accident involving his girlfriend, Susie Willis. However, beneath the surface lies a darker truth—Ben Willis, Susie’s father, was involved, and Julie (jennifer-love-hewitt) discovers that the man they ran over was actually Ben seeking revenge. The story thickens as Helen witnesses Barry being murdered at a pageant, and she herself is stalked and slain by the same relentless killer.
The terror continues as Helen’s sister, Elsa, is killed at their family store. Julie eventually uncovers the horrifying reality: Ben Willis remains alive and is hunting them in retribution for past actions. Ben is revealed to be the fisherman who had earlier saved and later targeted them, driven by the desire for revenge. The climax unfolds on Ben’s boat where Julie finds the bodies of Helen and Barry stashed away. Ray, who confesses to having posed as David’s friend out of guilt, fights to save Julie. In a tense confrontation, Ray severs Ben’s hand using the rigging, pushing him overboard and ending his rampage.
In a bittersweet resolution, Julie (jennifer-love-hewitt) and Ray (freddie-prinze-jr) reconcile, relieved to have survived and to be free from the shadows of past guilt. Yet, the story hints that peace may be temporary. A year later, in Boston, Julie begins a new chapter—only to be haunted once more when she notices the words “I still know” written in steam on her shower door, just before a shadowy figure crashes through. The chilling reminder that some secrets never stay buried leaves viewers questioning if the nightmare truly ends.
Follow the complete movie timeline of I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Accidental Hit and Cover-up
Julie James and her friends Ray Bronson, Helen Shivers, and Barry Cox drive to the beach in Southport, North Carolina. On the way back, they accidentally hit and kill a pedestrian but hide the incident to avoid consequences. Barry and Helen attempt to dispose of the body by dumping it in the water, but the victim wakes up and grabs Helen, leading to further chaos.
One Year Later - The Threat
A year after the incident, Julie returns home from college, and her friends have gone separate ways, haunted by guilt. She receives a threatening letter that says, 'I know what you did last summer,' which prompts her and Helen to confront Barry, suspecting him of being involved.
Suspecting Max and the Murder of Max
Julie and Helen suspect Max, who passes by them, of knowing something. That night, Max is murdered by an anonymous figure in a raincoat wielding a hook, casting suspicion on the group. Barry is also ambushed and hijacked by the killer, heightening the sense of danger.
Research and Meeting Missy
Julie researches newspaper articles and learns about David Egan, the victim they hit. She visits David's sister, Missy, who reveals that David supposedly committed suicide out of guilt, but Julie realizes the note she received is a death threat, not a suicide note.
Attacks Continue - Hair and Bodies
The killer sneaks into Helen's house and cuts off her hair while she sleeps. The following day, Julie finds Max's carcass in her car trunk, covered in crabs, but the body mysteriously disappears when others are shown.
Revelations about David and Ben Willis
Julie uncovers articles about Susie Willis, who was killed in a car accident, and learns that Ben Willis, Susie’s father, was the man they hit, who then killed David Egan to avenge his daughter. She deduces Ben's motive for revenge is directly linked to their original crime.
Helen's Murder at the Pageant
During the Croaker Beauty Pageant, Helen witnesses Barry being murdered on a balcony but finds no sign of the killer. As she runs away, the killer traps and kills her sister Elsa, escalating the horror and danger for the remaining friends.
Revelation of Ben Willis
Julie discovers that Ben Willis is alive and is the fisherman targeting them. She finds evidence linking him to the murders, including photos and articles about Susie Willis, confirming his involvement and seeking to confront him.
Climax - Confrontation and Escape
On Ben Willis's boat, Julie uncovers the bodies of Helen and Barry. Ray fights to save Julie, ultimately severing Ben's hand and pushing him overboard. Ben is defeated, and the threat seems to have been resolved, bringing relief to Julie and Ray.
Epilogue - The Final Warning
A year after the ordeal, Julie is in college in Boston when she notices the words 'I still know' written in steam on her shower door. Suddenly, a dark figure crashes through the shower door, suggesting that the threat is not over and that Ben Willis or someone else remains at large.
Explore all characters from I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Julie James (Jonah Hauer-King)
Julie is a cautious and resilient young woman trying to move past her traumatic summer. Her quest for the truth reveals her resourcefulness and courage as she faces deadly threats. Her character embodies innocence confronting evil.
Ray Bronson (Freddie Prinze Jr.)
Ray is a compassionate fisherman and Julie’s love interest. He harbors guilt over his past and seeks redemption. His loyalty and bravery become evident as he protects Julie from harm.
Ben Willis (antagonist)
Ben is the vengeful father seeking justice for his daughter’s death. Driven by grief and rage, he embodies the themes of revenge and relentless pursuit. His appearance as a killer in a raincoat with a hook symbolizes deadly vengeance.
Learn where and when I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
July 4, 1996, and the subsequent year
The story takes place in the summer of 1996, a period defined by patriotic celebrations like the Fourth of July. This time was marked by a blend of small-town innocence and underlying darkness, with events unfolding during a period when societal tensions and rural community secrets are prominent.
Location
Southport, North Carolina
Southport is a historic coastal town known for its breezy beaches and charming waterfronts. It features a mix of maritime culture and summer recreational activities, making it a popular spot for vacations and seaside gatherings. The town’s scenery plays a crucial role in the movie’s setting, emphasizing summer festivities and local traditions.
Discover the main themes in I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Revenge
Revenge is a central theme as the characters confront the consequences of their past actions. Ben Willis seeks vengeance for his daughter's death, which drives the killer’s relentless pursuit. The narrative explores how past sins can haunt individuals and lead to deadly reprisals.
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Guilt
Guilt pervades the characters' lives, especially Julie and her friends, who struggle with the aftermath of their accidental crime. Their moral dilemmas and psychological torment highlight the destructive power of guilt and the importance of confronting one’s past.
Unravel the ending of I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) with our detailed explanation. Understand the final scenes, character fates, and unresolved questions.
The ending of I Know What You Did Last Summer reveals a twist-filled confrontation where the characters discover that the killer isn’t just one person, but actually two: Ray and Stevie. Throughout the film, the friends are targeted by a masked fisherman seeking revenge for a past accident they thought they had covered up. As the story unfolds, it’s revealed that Stevie’s motive for becoming the Fisherman stems from her grief and rage over her boyfriend Sam’s death in an earlier car accident, which she mistakenly thought her friends had ignored or dismissed. Her emotional trauma motivated her to take justice into her own hands, transforming into the murderer to exact her revenge.
Stevie’s betrayal comes to light when she reveals during a tense boat chase that her supposed disconnection from the past isn’t true—she was the one responsible for Sam’s death, and her quest for vengeance has made her murderous. When Ray arrives on a smaller boat to help, Stevie stabs Danica, leading to a confrontation where Ray shoots her, causing her to fall into the ocean. However, the truth about Ray is even darker: he, along with Stevie, has been secretly acting as one of the Fishermen, driven by a desire to cover up Southport’s violent history and to reshape the town’s image. Ray’s revelation that he was one of the killers shocks everyone, especially since he tries to manipulate Ava and even questions if he truly shot Stevie.
The climax concludes with Ava shooting Ray with his own speargun to stop him, saving Danica from further harm. Ava and Danica survive, with Danica washing up ashore alive and Stevie apparently surviving her fall into the ocean as well, hinting they could appear again. The film ends with a scene showing Julie consulting Karla, the heroine from the previous films, to prepare for future threats, suggesting that the cycle of terror might not be over. The filmmakers leave the possibility open for another sequel, depending on the audience’s reaction, leaving the story on a tense and uncertain note.
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