We’re in an era where everything old is new again. Sometimes that comes in the form of sequels. Sometimes it comes in the form of reboots. And sometimes it’s a sequel that wants to borrow heavily from the legacy of the past. This includes locations, stories, and characters. That last camp is where we place, I Know What You Did Last Summer.

This isn’t the first time we’ve gotten a horror film with that name. Back in the 1990s, in the wake of the success of Scream, there was a wave of similar horror films. One of those that followed was I Know What You Did Last Summer, released in 1997. It came from Kevin Williamson and Lois Duncan, set in a small coastal town of North Carolina. It centered on a group of friends who made a mistake, tried to cover it up, and then things went sideways.

What’s old is new again as we once again have the same basic set up set in the same place out this weekend. This new film introduces new characters, a new mistake, but the same old consequences. And, like other legacy sequels, it brings back some familiar faces to transport audiences right back to where they were 28 years earlier.

But does it work?

This new one is set in Southport and as we pick up, Ava (Chase Sui Wonders) is back home to attend the engagement party of her best friend, Danica (Madelyn Cline). Danica is engaged to Teddy (Tyriq Withers), who is best friends with Ava’s high school boyfriend, Milo (Jonah Hauer-King). As they enjoy the celebration, the four friends united decide to go out to watch fireworks for the Fourth of July. They reunite with their other old friend, Stevie (Sarah Pidgeon).

As they’re out, an accident happens. Due to careless behavior, a motorist flies off the cliff in a truck, plunging to his death. The friends are split on what to do, but decide to keep it quiet to protect themselves, as Teddy gets his father (Billy Campbell) to help cover things up.

Flash-forward a year, and Ava is back in Southport again. But this last year has changed them all. She’s here for Danica’s bridal shower, but Danica’s life has also changed. She and Teddy split, and now she’s preparing to marry Wyatt (Joshua Orpin). But before that happens, she gets a letter. Someone knows about their secret.

Soon, Ava learns that this has happened before. She reaches out to Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt) for advice, while Stevie leans on her boss, Ray (Freddie Prinze, Jr.). Can they find a way to fight back before it’s too late?

This film follows the formula of the first closely. It has a few new wrinkles in the crime, the characters, etc. But it’s set in the same place where the events of 1997 are not only history, but they’re also liberally referenced. We’ve seen this model before, as Scream itself applied it a few years back to reboot the franchise. But here, it works dreadfully.

In part that’s because the story of the new characters isn’t compelling. In part, it’s because the performances aren’t great. And, in part, it’s because the twist is beyond ridiculous. While this film takes a turn in Third Act and clearly has designs on restarting a franchise, it remains to be seen if there will be enough of an audience.

It’s not all dreadful. I really enjoyed Love Hewitt, who only appears occasionally through most of this film but is clearly part of the future. She sinks back into the part and has some fun lines and moments. So, too, does a surprise cameo from another of the stars of the original film. I won’t ruin the surprise but suffice to say this return brought an energy that most of the film was missing.

Aside from that, the formula and the kills were as uninspiring as these new characters. The whole thing felt like a tired return that didn’t offer much for audiences. It’s been a summer that’s featured some wonderful and delightful films. This sticks out like an underwhelming sore thumb.

I Know What You Did Last Summer is now playing nationwide.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.