Plot
In 1958, at Camp Crystal Lake – a year after the drowning death of little Jason Vorhees, two camp councilors are brutally murdered by an unknown assailant.
22 years later, and the camp is finally reopening, much to the surprise of the townsfolk who call it “camp blood”.
However, days before the camp opens, and the new counselors are being slaughtered one by one. But by who?
Direction
Directed by Sean S Cunningham, it takes notes from other slasher films by showing the POV from the killer.
The lack of use of pronouns is clever (as the killer is … Mrs Vorhees) and the graphic violence is pretty impressive for a 45+ year old movie.
Cast/Breakdown
The film introduces a character Annie, who we think is going to be the protagonist, (instead *** spoiler *** but she becomes the first victim!)
We are quickly introduced to a group of characters (and eventual cannon fodder) in Alice, Bill, Ned, Jack, Marcie and Brenda. Most of these actors are people who I haven’t come across before (except for Kevin Bacon as Jack).
There is a slight aged feel to the film early on, when the character of Annie interacts with some characters, but other than this – there are some fairly strong female characters in the likes of Alice… and then obviously Mrs Vorhees being the killer is quite against the norm for the era the film was made.
The way the camera works with the killer taunting the victim is pretty clever, as clearly the characters aren’t threatened by the killer – and that they never use pronouns, or anything to really reveal it is a woman until the last arc I really liked.
A few short moments that occur in the film don’t really go anywhere, like the town ‘crazy’ Ralph who warns all the kids that they are doomed (well he was right) and that he is a messenger of God. As this was my first time watching the franchise (yes I know!) I’ll see if he comes back in the sequels.
There is also a little too much of Steve (at the diner etc), especially given he’s shown as a grump – and then becomes a victim himself. The way the kills occur is actually quite surprisingly good, especially Jack with the neck. The practical effects should make some films from 2025/2026 feel embarrassed how poor they are.
Overall
Still quite solid, even all these years later. It does feel like it is trying to ‘one up’ all the other films that came out around the same time (such as Halloween, and any of Wes Craven’s filmography), and potentially does so with the killer reveal being a middle aged woman.
The third act drags ‘just’ a little post the killer reveal, but other than that, near perfect.
4.5/5
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