Weird Wednesday: Why Is Friday the 13th Getting a Prequel Series?
The Friday the 13th franchise is one that is in constant turmoil. Ever since 1980, Jason has visited numerous summer camps, literally gone to Hell and back, fought Freddy Krueger, and even had a trip to outer space. Needless to say, the series has gotten extremely complicated for the average viewer over the years.
Therefore, in an attempt to explore the franchise’s origins and reestablish Jason’s name in horror, A24 and Peacock are bringing us… a Camp Crystal Lake prequel show? Today, I’ll share my thoughts on Crystal Lake and whether I think it will prove to be a success for the struggling franchise.
To be clear, while I’m not opposed to the concept of Crystal Lake, it does seem like a strange pivot for the franchise. The last time we’ve actually seen Jason on the big screen was in the (underrated, according to some) 2009 reboot. After this long hiatus, many would have expected Jason himself to be the one making a triumphant return.
Instead, A24 is opting to tell us the story of Pamela Voorhees and the events that shaped her into the killer from the original film. This is certainly a unique way to adapt this franchise, especially when compared to many other long-running slasher series. It begs the question of whether a prequel that differentiates itself from its established formula can still win over die-hard fans.
Thankfully, that question seems to be answered based on its critical reception. The show currently sits at a respectable 79% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, with many praising Linda Cardellini’s performance as Mrs. Voorhees, as well as the show’s tone and atmosphere.
In fact, many critics note that the show is practically made for the aforementioned die-hard fans. Overall, it seems that critics agree that the show does a sufficient job of expanding the titular Crystal Lake’s mythology.
Honestly, I believe that we will see many more shows like Crystal Lake if this positive reception lasts throughout the entire season. I’m imagining shows expanding on the mythos of characters like Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, and Pinhead, just to name a few. Utilizing an episodic format, shows based on these characters could expand them in ways the more streamlined movies couldn’t.
Of course, some would argue that these expansions would ruin the mysticism the original entries built up. Still, I would argue that these shows could expand their respective mythologies without replacing the originals.
In conclusion, I believe Crystal Lake will pay off for A24 if they embrace the franchise’s roots while still offering a fresh take for new viewers. Although I originally saw Crystal Lake as a strange direction for Friday the 13th, its positive critical reception suggests that experimentation isn’t a hindrance to a horror franchise. Instead, it’s mainly based on the execution.
If Crystal Lake can expand the series mythology while also staying true to the original films, it could truly open the door for more episodic takes on classic horror properties.
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