Spoilers ahead for the highly anticipated 2025 film I Know What You Did Last Summer. On the surface, slasher films and superhero movies may seem worlds apart—one drenched in blood and the other largely devoid of gore. However, there has always been a surprising overlap, especially as both genres have birthed enduring franchises that have captivated audiences for decades. The world of slasher films, while more fragmented than the meticulously crafted universes of Marvel and DC, is rich with its own lore, characters, and hidden Easter eggs.
Over the years, we have witnessed spiritual crossovers, such as the iconic Scream 2 playing on a television in Halloween H20, and literal mashups like Freddy vs. Jason. Both genres share an understanding that their iconic characters rarely stay gone for long. While A Nightmare on Elm Street 4 didn’t explicitly announce, “Freddy Krueger will return in The Dream Child,” the sentiment was clear. Recently, the dominance of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has increasingly influenced the slasher genre, evident in the rebooted Scream franchise of the 2020s, which incorporates familiar elements like plot armor for beloved characters, questionable CGI effects, and the resurrection of long-dead characters.
For instance, just as Marvel ingeniously reintroduced Robert Downey Jr. into its fold, Scream 7 has found a way to bring back Matthew Lillard. It’s no wonder that the trend of post-credits scenes has made its way into slasher films, marking a new phase in what some are calling the MCU-ification of the genre. Scream VI was the first in its series to feature a post-credits scene, albeit as a meta joke with Mindy (Jasmin Savoy Brown) humorously asserting that “not every movie needs a post-credits scene.”
In sharp contrast, the 2025 installment of I Know What You Did Last Summer offers a genuine Marvel-style tease with the return of Brandy Norwood, reprising her role as Karla from I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. An earlier conversation featuring Freddie Prinze Jr.’s Ray serves as a reminder that the 1998 sequel set in the Bahamas is indeed part of the film's canon. “Isn’t that your college roommate?” Karla’s husband inquires as they watch a news report about Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt) surviving yet another attack from the hook-wielding Fisherman. “People are always trying to kill that woman,” Karla quips. “I hope she’s in therapy.”
What initially appears to be a lighthearted nod to a sequel often viewed as subpar quickly escalates when Julie appears at Karla’s doorstep. Apologizing for dragging her back into danger, Julie presents a photo of the two of them with Karla’s face ominously crossed out, accompanied by a note that warns, “THIS ISN’T OVER.” Rather than being frightened, Karla springs into action, eager to confront the Fisherman once more.
Whether I Know What You Did Last Summer will actually receive a sequel featuring both JLH and Brandy teaming up against another killer remains uncertain. Would the follow-up also be titled I Still Know What You Did Last Summer? The possibilities are intriguing. This mid-credits scene exemplifies how slasher franchises are evolving into the realm of the MCU. Your reaction to this moment may vary based on your feelings toward Marvel films and the seriousness with which you interpret the scene.
Given that this new installment of I Know What You Did Last Summer leans into a more self-aware and arch tone than its predecessors, the credits scene featuring a character from a much-derided movie (“Ben’s son!”) can be seen as somewhat tongue-in-cheek. Nevertheless, there’s a strong possibility that a sequel could fulfill its promise. During this film’s climax, Julie asserts that “nostalgia’s overrated.” However, judging by the enthusiastic audience response during the Brandy scene in my theater, it’s clear that many viewers feel otherwise.
This sentiment is further reinforced by the thunderous applause Sarah Michelle Gellar received during her cameo as Helen Shivers, the original film’s most tragic victim of the Fisherman. In a parallel story, Danica (Madelyn Cline), a Croaker Queen like Helen, grapples with her own torment from the Fisherman due to her involvement in covering up a vehicular manslaughter incident. In a haunting dream sequence, Danica envisions Helen, who appears as youthful and vibrant as ever, thanks to some impressive digital effects that showcase seamless de-aging technology.
In her brief yet impactful appearance, Gellar’s character fared much better than Skeet Ulrich in the recent Scream films. Helen isn’t just a ghostly presence or an angelic vision; she embodies a more sinister role, reminding Danica, “I didn’t want to die either, but we did a bad thing, and when you do something bad, you need to pay,” as her face decays, and she brandishes a hook menacingly.
