I Know What You Did Last Summer includes some major surprises, but one of its storylines continues a modern horror trend that I’m already tired of. Even though reviews for I Know What You Did Last Summer have been very negative, with Screen Rant’s own Mary Kᴀssel giving it a 4 out of 10, part of me wants to applaud the legacy sequel for taking such big risks.
Shockingly, Freddie Prinze Jr.’s Ray is one of the killers in I Know What You Did Last Summer. Turning a beloved character from the original movies into one of the main villains in the legacy sequel is a bold choice, which I can respect. However, unfortunately, Ray being the killer isn’t set up well enough, which means this twist ultimately falls flat.
Because of this, the ending of I Know What You Did Last Summer is underwhelming. Overall, the legacy sequel is a disappointment, but at least there are some thrilling death scenes, such as Tyler’s. However, Tyler’s character in I Know What You Did Last Summer continues a worn-out trend of true crime podcasters being included in modern horror movies.
I Know What You Did Last Summer Is The Latest Horror Movie To Include A True-Crime Podcaster Storyline
True Crime Podcasters Are Always Killed Quickly In Horror Movies
After Teddy and the other characters accidently cause Sam Cooper’s death, leading them to swear to never mention it to anybody, I Know What You Did Last Summer includes a one-year time jump. Immediately after this time jump, we see Ava hooking up with Tyler in an airport washroom after just arriving back in Southport.
While driving back into town, Ava and Milo learn that Tyler is the host of a true crime podcast called “Live, Laugh, Slaughter.” In the film, Tyler visits Southport to record an episode about the 1997 mᴀssacre, which, as seen in the original I Know What You Did Last Summer movie, led to the deaths of characters like Helen Shivers and Barry Cox.
Usually, these characters are obsessed with serial killers and horrific murders, but are forced to pay for their curiosity with brutal deaths.
Not long after the core group of characters receives a threatening note from the unknown killer, a montage of Tyler recording her podcast episode is included. Tyler’s podcast is cleverly used to convey some important exposition to the audience, such as the fact that Teddy’s father, Grant Spencer, covered up the 1997 mᴀssacre so that he could turn Southport into a thriving seaside community.
I Know What You Did Last Summer is not the first horror film to include a character that is a true crime podcaster. In fact, several notable horror movies in recent years have included this character archetype. Usually, these characters are obsessed with serial killers and horrific murders, but are forced to pay for their curiosity with brutal deaths.
Firstly, 2018’s Halloween, which served as a legacy sequel to John Carpenter’s iconic 1978 slasher film, wastes no time introducing a duo who are recording a podcast episode about Michael Myers. At the beginning of the movie, Aaron and Dana try to interview both Laurie Strode and Michael Myers, while he is still being kept in a mental insтιтution. However, once he escapes, they become his first two victims.
Similarly, 2024’s Terrifier 3 introduces Mia, a true crime podcaster who just so happens to be dating Jonathan’s roommate. Throughout the movie, she shows a constant interest in characters like Jonathan and Sienna and is clearly obsessed with Art the Clown. Tragically, Mia faces a horrific end when Art the Clown attacks her and her boyfriend in the dormitory showers.
Even a recent non-franchise horror movie, 2023’s Totally Killer, includes a character who is a true crime podcaster. This further proves that these kinds of characters have been popping up everywhere in the horror genre in recent years. Because of this, this character archetype has already become tiring.
Horror Movies’ True-Crime Podcasts Trend Has Already Become Repeтιтive
This Horror Trend Is Now Unoriginal
When Aaron and Dana were introduced at the start of 2018’s Halloween, including true crime podcasters in a horror movie seemed like a fresh idea. Since podcasts have become incredibly popular in recent years, this proved that the horror genre is trying to adapt to the times. Aaron and Dana’s inclusion also helped connect the legacy sequel to the original movie.
This is also what Tyler’s inclusion in I Know What You Did Last Summer is meant to do. As mentioned, through Tyler’s podcast, we learn how Southport transformed into the “Hamptons of the South” after the tragic events of the first movie. However, unlike in Halloween, featuring a true crime podcaster in I Know What You Did Last Summer feels lazy, rather than creative.
In just seven years, ever since the release of 2018’s Halloween, this character archetype has already become unoriginal. These types of characters are usually only included to deliver some exposition and represent many people’s obsession with true crime. Additionally, these characters practically always die not long after being introduced, meaning their fates are now way too easy to predict.
Therefore, I hope future horror movies don’t continue this trend. After I Know What You Did Last Summer, it’s time for the horror genre to take a break from true crime podcasters. Tyler isn’t a terrible character in I Know What You Did Last Summer, but she just feels far too familiar and her fate is very easy to predict, which is never a good thing in a slasher film.
