Amazon’s ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ series, based on the 1973 novel by Lois Duncan, failed to attract audiences and received a mixed response from critics. The series was compared to the 1997 movie adaptation, which became a box office hit after the success of Wes Craven’s ‘Scream’ revitalized the teen slasher genre.
While Amazon has not explicitly stated the reasons for canceling the series after just one season, it can be surmised that the lack of enthusiasm and viewership played a significant role in the decision. The series never gained significant buzz or attention, coming and going without much fanfare.
The Amazon Prime Video Show Didn’t Achieve Its Objectives
Several complaints were raised about the series, including poor acting from the cast, unresolved plot holes, unsatisfactory twists, and a significant deviation from the slasher movie origins. Instead of following the slasher route like the movie, the series attempted to present itself as a mystery but failed to sustain interest effectively.
Critics and audiences alike criticized the weak mystery and thinly written characters, which ultimately contributed to the show’s failure after the first season. Despite having a dedicated fanbase, the divided response and presumably low viewership numbers made it challenging for Amazon to justify continuing the series beyond the first season.
While the series provided a resolution to the main mystery and revealed the killer’s identity, the ending did not leave audiences with a compelling enough reason to warrant a second season. With such a divided response and lack of widespread appeal, Amazon’s decision to cancel ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ after one season is understandable.