In the pantheon of slasher films, the Friday the 13th franchise is particularly iconic, thanks largely to its relentless killer, Jason Voorhees, and the infamous Camp Crystal Lake. The 2009 reboot, directed by Marcus Nispel, is a modern reimagining that seeks to honor the original 1980 film and introduce the series to a new generation. While it delivers on the blood-soaked thrills and nostalgic nods, it also stumbles in a few areas, but overall it's a worthy addition to the franchise and an underappreciated slasher classic.
The 2009 Friday the 13th begins with a prologue set in 1980, which acts as a rehash of the original film’s climax. We witness the brutal murder of a camp counselor by Pamela Voorhees, Jason’s mother, who was seeking revenge for the drowning of her son. This sets the stage for the modern-day narrative, which follows a group of college students who venture into the woods near Camp Crystal Lake for a weekend getaway.
The central plot revolves around the discovery of a stash of marijuana plants in the woods and the subsequent search for the missing sister of one of the group members, Whitney Miller (Amanda Righetti). As expected, the tranquil vacation turns into a bloody nightmare when Jason (Derek Mears) begins his relentless pursuit of the unsuspecting campers.
The narrative is serviceable, albeit formulaic. It ticks off the usual slasher movie tropes: the group of attractive young adults, the isolation, the mysterious killer, and the inevitable bloodshed. The plot doesn’t break new ground, but it does a decent job of keeping the audience engaged through a mix of suspense and gore.
One of the most significant weaknesses of the 2009 Friday the 13th (and most of the films in this franchise) is its character development or lack thereof. The film introduces a bevy of archetypal characters— the jock, the nerd, the party girl, and so on— but fails to give them any real depth. They exist primarily as fodder for Jason’s machete, and as a result, their fates lack the emotional weight that might otherwise make the horror more impactful.
The standout character in this regard is Whitney Miller, who is given a bit more backstory and depth compared to her peers. Her relationship with her brother, Clay (Jared Padalecki), adds a personal stake to the narrative, but even her character falls into the trap of being more of a plot device than a fully realized individual.
Jason Voorhees himself, as portrayed by Derek Mears, is a formidable presence. The reboot attempts to reintroduce Jason as a more menacing and relentless killer, and Mears’ performance achieves this with an imposing physicality and a menacing demeanor. However, Jason’s character is more enigmatic than ever, lacking the backstory and personal vendetta that characterized earlier installments.
On the visual front, the 2009 Friday the 13th succeeds in capturing the gritty, atmospheric essence of its predecessors. The film’s cinematography and production design effectively evoke the sense of dread and isolation associated with Camp Crystal Lake. The lush, dark woods and dilapidated cabins create a fittingly eerie backdrop for the horror.
The practical effects and make-up used for the kills are a highlight. The film does not shy away from gore, delivering several brutal and creative deaths that will satisfy fans of the genre. The kills are a blend of shocking and inventive, showcasing the film’s commitment to delivering visceral thrills.
However, the film's reliance on dark lighting and shaky cam during some of the chase scenes can be disorienting, making it difficult to fully appreciate the choreography of Jason’s attacks. While the intention is to heighten suspense, it occasionally undermines the clarity of the action.
The 2009 reboot is both a homage to the original and an attempt to revitalize the franchise. It includes numerous references to the 1980 film, including a similar final girl scenario, and nods to key moments from the series’ history. The integration of these elements will likely please long-time fans of the franchise who appreciate the connection to the classic film.
At the same time, the film tries to modernize the story with updated characters and contemporary settings. This blend of old and new is overall successful, even if it doesn’t fully capture the originality or cultural impact of the original. Friday the 13th (2009) is a serviceable slasher film that rehashes familiar beats and provides enough originality to make it a noteworthy addition to the genre.
The 2009 Friday the 13th is a competent reboot that delivers the requisite slasher thrills and nods to the franchise’s roots. It succeeds in reintroducing Jason Voorhees to a new generation while providing enough blood and gore to satisfy fans of the genre.
In the end, the film is enjoyable for what it is—a modern slasher flick with a classic touch. It may not redefine the genre or the franchise, but it doesn't need to, instead, it offers a solid entry into the annals of slasher cinema. For fans of Jason Voorhees and the Friday the 13th series, the Arrow 4K release is a must-own.
4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
- Two cuts of the film, the Theatrical Cut (97 mins) and the extended Killer Cut (105 mins)
- Double-sided foldout poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gary Pullin
- Limited edition Greetings from Crystal Lake Postcard
- Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Matt Konopka and Alexandra West
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gary Pullin
DISC ONE: THEATRICAL CUT
- 4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) of the Theatrical Cut
- Original 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio sound
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Brand new audio commentary by director Marcus Nispel
- Brand new audio commentary by writers Mark Swift and Damian Shannon
- Brand new interview with director Marcus Nispel
- Brand new interview with writers Mark Swift and Damian Shannon
- Brand new interview with cinematographer Daniel Pearl
- A Killer New Beginning, an exclusive video essay about why horror fans shouldn’t fear remakes, what 2009’s Friday the 13th remake gets right, and why the film serves as a perfect template for future franchise remakes by film critic Matt Donato
- Excerpts from the Terror Trivia Track
- The Rebirth of Jason Voorhees archival featurette
- Hacking Back / Slashing Forward archival featurette
- The 7 Best Kills archival featurette
- Deleted scenes
- Original teaser, trailer and TV spots
- Electronic press kit
- Image gallery
DISC TWO: KILLER CUT
- 4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) of the Killer Cut
- Original 5.1 DTSHD Master Audio sound
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Brand new audio commentary by film critics Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Josh Nelson