Slasher movies are some of the best in the biz. They’re quick (sexy) and dominated by a terrifying killer, often with zaddy energy.
Since October is obviously the time for scary viewings, we usually see a bunch of second-, third-, or fourth-gen slasher flicks, but this time, rather than doling out another sequel, one franchise is finally telling us how the slashing started.
Stan’s Crystal Lake is a Friday The 13th prequel series that’s actually telling us how Jason Voorhees became the camp slasher. And in terms of backstories, it beats any sob story I’ve heard.
Who Is Jason Voorhees
You don’t know THE Jason? (Image credit: Glee)
He’s the serial killer in a hockey mask who’s wandered around the Crystal Lake camp since the 80s.
For non-horror fans, he typically wears a mask and kills any teens hanging out lakeside. What they may be getting up to by that lake is none of my business (though I will watch it). While his mum kicked off the killing spree in the OG 1980 film Friday The 13th, Jason quickly picked up the mantle and went on to star in 11 more films across the franchise, including my personal favourite Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan.
Fun fact, he also beat Freddy Krueger in the 2003 crossover Freddy Vs Jason, which should tell you a thing or two about his fighting prowess.
What does Crystal Lake reveal about Jason Voorhees
Beyond getting the full backstory of why Jason’s face looks the way it does, we get a much deeper understanding of Jason’s fascination with Crystal Lake. Having grown up by the lake, much of his trauma is tied to the location, and so, the logical next step is to kill people nearby. We also knew from the first film that Jason had “drowned” in the lake, but this time, we get to see what life was like before and exactly what went down that day.
That had to hurt. (Image credit: Stan)
Interestingly, while the show may talk about Jason’s background, we spend most of our time with his mum. Played by Freaks And Geeks icon Linda Cardellini, Pamela Voorhees is the doting mother who goes on quite the journey through these eight episodes.
I don’t want to give any spoilers but let’s just say Jason’s bloodlust may run in the family.
Diva is down. (Image Credit: Stan)
It’s a bizarrely emotional tale for a slasher setting, as you see the lengths a mother will go to for her son. Given it’s an A24 production, it’s hardly surprising that we’re getting emotional depth alongside the gore. Each bit of violence is underpinned by a sincere character struggle and a single-minded devotion to family. Oh, and it’s set in the 70s, so expect amazing fashion and interior design you could never afford.
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Dare I say, bring back high-waisted jeans. (Image credit: Stan)
Ready for a fright? Every episode is now streaming on Stan from October 15.