The 2021 I Know What You Did Last Summer series on Prime Video is a modern, intense take on the classic story, earning a TV-MA rating for its very strong mature content. Parents should know this show features graphic violence, frequent drug use, nudity, and strong language, making it inappropriate for younger viewers. This parent guide breaks down all the content to help you decide if it’s suitable for your family.
What Is The Show About?
The series is a reimagining of the original story, set in Hawaii. It follows a group of teenagers who are bound together by a dark secret after a fatal accident on their graduation night. A year later, someone starts sending them threatening messages reading “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” and the friends are stalked by a brutal killer. As they try to uncover who is after them, they are forced to reveal their darkest secrets. The show mixes teen drama with psychological suspense and brutal horror, exploring themes of guilt, secrecy, and revenge.
A Detailed Look at Violence and Gore
The level of violence is one of the most significant factors in the show’s TV-MA rating. This is not a typical teen drama with simple scuffles; it contains prolonged and graphic scenes typical of slasher horror.
- Graphic Murders: The series does not hold back on its violent depictions. Scenes include a character being decapitated, with the event live-streamed to other characters. Another is killed when a dumbbell falls on his head, smashing his jaw, with a close-up of his brutally injured face shown.
- Slasher-Style Stalking: Characters are suddenly dispatched by a shadowy murderer in the style of classic slasher films. This includes stabbings and people being beaten up.
- Gruesome Imagery: The first episode features a blood-soaked, decapitated animal’s head left as a threatening message. A dead body is also shown at length, and another character is hooked up to a frozen slushie machine until their body turns blue.
Sexual Content and Nudity
The show features a considerable amount of sexual content and nudity, which is both sexual and non-sexual in nature.
- Explicit Nudity: Viewers see a man’s penis in a non-sexual scene where he is urinating into a pool. There is also explicit female nudity during sex acts.
- Sexual Scenes: A man’s bare buttocks are shown rhythmically pressing against a window, presumably during sex. There are several graphic sex scenes and passionate kissing. The camera sometimes cuts away, but the implication is clear.
- Sexual Dialogue and Themes: The dialogue includes graphic instructions on how to perform oral sex. One character is accused of having sex with a high school teacher to get a better grade, and sexual betrayal is a recurring element of the plot.
Frequent Strong Language
The dialogue is filled with constant profanity, which contributes heavily to the mature rating.
- Strong Expletives: The word “f–k” is used over 200 times throughout the series. Other frequent language includes “s–t,” and vulgar terms for female genitals like “c–t” and “p—y.”
- General Vulgarity: The overall tone of the dialogue between characters is often rude and laced with milder curse words.
Substance Use and Its Role
Drugs and alcohol are not just background elements; they play a major part in the narrative and are shown frequently.
- Teen Drug Use: A main character sells drugs, including ketamine delivered in a nasal spray. Viewers see teens sniffing the nasal spray, smoking from pipes, and snorting lines of white powder at parties.
- Drinking and Smoking: Teen characters are shown drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes. In one crucial scene, teens are drinking and using drugs in a car, with the driver stating she is “very f–ked up” before a terrible car crash occurs. The show sometimes presents this substance use as a sensible choice for a lower-middle-class character in a wealthy environment.
What Do Parents Need to Consider?
With all this mature content, the central question remains: is it okay for your teen to watch?
Common Sense Media, a trusted resource for parents, suggests the show may be appropriate for kids aged 15 and up, but emphasizes that it depends heavily on the individual teen’s maturity level. They note that positive messages are few and the overall vibe is downbeat, with teens reduced to stereotypes.
The series is often compared to other dark teen dramas like Euphoria and Riverdale, but it includes more graphic horror elements. Many parent reviews state that, despite the teenage cast, the graphic murders and intense themes are too much for younger audiences, recommending it for ages 17 and up.
The Momma Diaries blog advises: “The graphic murders are just too much. I would recommend for ages 17 and up, but honestly, that’s pushing it.”
How to Make an Informed Decision
Before deciding if your teen can watch, here are some steps you can take:
- Watch an Episode First: Preview the first episode yourself to understand the tone and content firsthand, so you are not surprised by anything your teen might see.
- Have a Conversation: If you decide to allow it, don’t just hand over the remote. Talk to your teen about the themes of the show, including the realistic consequences of drug use, drunk driving, and the weight of keeping dangerous secrets.
- Use Your Judgment: You know your child’s sensitivity to violence, horror, and mature themes best. The TV-MA rating is a clear warning, and it is up to parents to enforce it based on their own family’s standards.
The first season of I Know What You Did Last Summer is available to stream in full on Amazon Prime Video.
Also Read: I Know What You Did Last Summer: Complete Guide to The Movies and TV Series
