<P> After having written Scream (released in 1996), Williamson was approached to adapt Duncan's source novel by producer Erik Feig . Where Williamson's screenplay for Scream contained prominent elements of satire and self - referentiality, his adaptation of I Know What You Did Last Summer reworked the novel's central plot to resemble a straightforward 1980s - era slasher film . Shot on location in both California and North Carolina in the spring of 1997, I Know What You Did Last Summer was released theatrically in the North America on October 17, 1997 . It received varied reviews from critics but was commercially successful, grossing $72 million domestically, and remaining at number 1 on the U.S. box office for three consecutive weeks . It would go on to gross an additional $53 million in foreign markets, making for a total of over $125 million in international box office returns . It also was nominated for and won multiple awards . </P> <P> The film was followed by two sequels, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998) and the straight - to - DVD release I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006). Though the former film has a continuation of the plotline established in its predecessor, the latter film establishes a new plotline and does not star any cast members from the previous two installments . I Know What You Did Last Summer has also been parodied and referenced in popular culture, and credited alongside Scream with revitalizing the contemporary slasher film in the late - 1990s . </P> <P> On the Fourth of July 1996 in Southport, North Carolina, recent high school graduates Julie James, her boyfriend Ray Bronson, Julie's best friend Helen Shivers, and Helen's boyfriend Barry Cox, drive to the beach to celebrate after Helen wins the annual Croaker Beauty Pageant . After a night of partying, while driving along a coastal byway, they accidentally hit a pedestrian . Max, who has a crush on Julie, passes by them on the road . Julie reassures Max that everything is all right, and he leaves . After some arguing, the group decides to dispose of the body, dumping it in the water . They agree to never again discuss what had happened . </P> <P> The following year, Julie returns home from her college in Boston for the summer . Since the incident, the friends have gone their separate ways . Julie receives a letter with no return address, stating, "I know what you did last summer!" Disturbed, Julie tracks down Helen, who has returned to Southport to work at her family's department store after a failed attempt at an acting career in New York City . The girls take the note to Barry, who immediately thinks Max is responsible . They confront Max on the docks, and Barry threatens him with a hook . Julie meets Ray, who is now working as a fisherman; he unsuccessfully tries to reconcile with her . Later, Max is killed by a figure in a rain slicker wielding a hook . Barry discovers a note in his gym locker saying, "I know ." He is then ambushed by the same assailant driving Barry's car . </P>

Who was killed in i know what you did last summer