A Slasher Classic Comes to Broadway

The Broadway adaptation of I Know What You Did Last Summer—based on the 1997 horror film—is generating buzz not just for its thrilling stage production, but for bringing back its most beloved scream queen.

Jennifer Love Hewitt’s performance as Julie James was a pop-culture phenomenon in the late ’90s. Her haunting scream, emotional vulnerability, and undeniable screen presence defined the slasher genre for an entire generation.

Now, nearly three decades later, she’s returned to the character that made her a star—reimagined for a live stage audience.

“Coming back as Julie feels surreal,” Hewitt said in a post-show interview. “This character has lived in people’s nightmares and hearts for years. Now she’s evolved—stronger, sharper, and more haunted than ever.”

A Bold New Look

Hewitt stunned on opening night in a sleek black strapless Rachel Gilbert dress paired with copper-toned red hair, a dramatic shift from her signature brunette locks.

Fashion critics called the look “sophisticated horror glam,” praising her for merging old-Hollywood elegance with slasher-era intensity.

Her fiery new hairstyle also became a trending topic on social media, with fans celebrating the transformation as both symbolic and stylish.

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A Resurgence for the Star—and the Genre

The Broadway play is part of a wider ’90s horror revival, with similar adaptations rumored for Scream and Urban Legend. Hewitt’s return could pave the way for:

• A potential film reboot or limited streaming series
• More stage-to-screen crossovers in horror storytelling
• New critical appreciation of her early work

Her performance is already being described as “a mix of vulnerability and ferocity,” with critics praising the emotional weight she brings to Julie’s post-trauma psyche.

Legacy, Reinvented

In stepping back into Julie James’ shoes, Jennifer Love Hewitt isn’t just revisiting her past—she’s rewriting it, adding depth and defiance to a role that originally made her scream royalty.

And judging by the standing ovation on opening night, audiences are more than ready to relive the nightmare—with her at the center.