I Know What You Did Last Summer parent guide: Is the Prime Video series suitable for kids?

I Know What You Did Last Summer premiered on Prime Video on October 15, 2021.

The series isn’t just a shot-for-shot redo of the 1997 horror film. Instead, the scene is set in Hawaii, wherein a group of teens, fresh off their graduation, make a seriously bad decision, and a year later, someone creepy decides it is payback time.

The show has a mix of teen drama, psychological suspense, and some brutal horror. It incorporates themes of guilt, secrecy, and revenge.

Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 42% from critics and 37% from viewers. But sometimes shows like this thrive on guilty pleasure binging. Plus, there are plenty of adults getting in on the action, probably reliving their own ‘90s slasher nostalgia.

But with its teenage cast and storyline, the show has a TV-MA rating. Since it features enough mature content, parents should consider it before letting younger audiences watch it, if at all.

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I Know What You Did Last Summer parent guide

I Know What You Did Last Summer has a TV-MA rating. That means the series is not suitable for viewing by children below the age of 17.

For the uninitiated, the TV-MA rating is one of the most restrictive TV content ratings. It indicates that the material might feature graphic violence, sexual content, nudity, or strong language.

According to Common Sense Media, there is a ton of violence, such as stabbings, people getting beaten up, and classic horror movie accidents that end with someone not making it to the next episode. Some of these scenes are intense for even adult viewers. You get all the visual horror, the gore, and the suspense, which can be emotionally disturbing for younger viewers.

It doesn’t stop at violence. The series also dives into sexual content, partial nudity, people getting intimate, and teen relationship moments. It also features strong language and substance use, including alcohol and drug consumption. Sometimes it’s shown as a bad idea, sometimes it’s just background noise, but it’s there.

While all this is intended to be a realistic portrayal, it is not suitable for the under-17 crowd.

If you are a parent, you would probably want to watch first, just to see what you are dealing with.

Let’s break it down a bit more:

Violence: It doesn’t have a standard TV drama scuffle. I Know What You Did Last Summer has prolonged, graphic scenes, such as knife attacks, murders, and moments where characters are genuinely fighting for their lives. There are some scenes where the show gets into uncomfortable details. If you are squeamish, some of these scenes are probably going to linger.

Language: The dialogue is sprinkled with profanity: strong expletives and some offensive terms. Sure, teens might hear this around in real life, but here it is constant, and it definitely pushes the show into “adults only” territory.

Sexual content: There are sexual situations and partial nudity, usually tied up in teen relationships. It’s not over-the-top explicit, but it’s enough to earn the MA tag. Some scenes might be implied, but you will know what is going on.

Substance use: Alcohol and drugs are shown, sometimes front and center. The show doesn’t glamorize it, but it doesn’t shy away, either.

So, even though the TV-MA rating is a clear warning, experts like Common Sense Media say that it is okay for older teens if they are mature and can handle the themes. But it’s not a one-size-fits-all thing. Parents have to use their judgment.

If you are a parent thinking about letting your teen dive into this series, here are some tips to consider:

• Watch an episode first, so you are not blindsided by anything.

• Have a real talk with your teen, don’t just hand them the remote and walk away.
• Figure out what is comfortable for your family.

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What is I Know What You Did Last Summer about?

I Know What You Did Last Summer grabs the classic story and puts it on a Hawaiian island. There is a squad of teens who, after a wild graduation night, end up with a dead body and a secret they swear to take to the grave. However, it doesn’t stay buried.

The main drama kicks off with twins, Allison and Lennon, both played by Madison Iseman. At a high school party, Lennon indulges in reckless activities, which result in a deadly car accident. The friends who are involved choose to hide it, thinking that they will get away with it without repercussions.

Fast forward a year, and someone is out there sending cryptic messages and picking them off, one by one. Throughout I Know What You Did Last Summer, questions arise about the relationship between its characters, and their innermost secrets emerge.