Unforgettable Deaths: The 7 Most Shocking Kills in Friday the 13th History!

With rumors of a reboot for the Friday the 13th series, eager fans are crossing their fingers that the franchise will bring something original to the table. After all, this property thrives or falters based on its commitment to offering distinctive stories featuring its characters. Given Jason Voorhees’ impressive kill count, it can be challenging to offer fans something fresh and memorable. However, if the upcoming Jason Universe sticks to well-trodden paths, there is still plenty of iconic (and gruesome) territory to explore.

In this list, you’ll find some of the most unforgettable killings from the Friday the 13th series. Ranging from the initial film without (much of) Jason to the 2009 remake, these are the most inventive and impactful death scenes that have graced this 12-film horror franchise.

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Jack in Friday the 13th

In terms of quality among the initial horror series installments, Friday the 13th sits comfortably in the upper half. However, the demise of Kevin Bacon’s character, Jack, is truly exceptional and often considered the pinnacle. This death scene has a strong claim to be the most memorable in the entire franchise, not only because it features Kevin Bacon but due to its lasting impact on horror film history.

The irony lies in the fact that this killing spree isn’t attributed to Jason, but to his mother. As a new generation of horror enthusiasts learned from Scream, Jason doesn’t make an appearance until the subsequent films. Jack’s climactic scene mirrors all the typical elements of a slasher movie (which might be why films like Scream have criticized such tropes). Does Jack use marijuana? Yes, he does. Does he engage in sexual activities? Indeed, that’s correct. And does he then receive an arrow through his throat while his friend lies dead on the upper bunk? Absolutely.

Mark in Friday the 13th Part 2

In the Friday the 13th movies, not all characters are endearing, but Mark Jarvis appears to be one of the kindest individuals ever portrayed. Despite being wheelchair-bound due to a motorcycle accident that halted his athletic aspirations, Jarvis remains optimistic and self-assured about the future. He even nurtures a blossoming relationship with Vickie Perry, another trainee counselor at Packanack Lodge.

However, his relationship with Perry abruptly ends together with his aspirations when he steps onto the main cabin’s porch. In search of Perry, he encounters Jason instead, who delivers a fatal blow with a machete. Shocked, he tumbles down a series of stone steps as the scene transitions to white.

Rick in Friday the 13th Part III

Friday the 13th Part III is often considered the most terrifying of all the Friday the 13th series, largely due to Richard Brooker’s chilling portrayal of Jason Voorhees and a scene where he murders a pregnant woman. However, some elements like the 3D effects can occasionally lessen its horror impact. Nevertheless, despite the somewhat comical-looking fake head used in Rick Bombay’s decapitation scene or the visible strings manipulating the eyeball during close-ups, the overall tone remains quite disturbing.

In the movie, Bombay plays a significant role, much like Mark in “Friday the 13th Part 2.” He’s a friendly character that adds depth to the story. The suddenness of his death, where he momentarily steps away from protagonist Chris Higgins and is taken, makes the event even more shocking. It’s chilling to imagine Chris standing outside her house at Higgins Haven, calling for Bombay, knowing he’s just a few feet away but unable to respond. This silence is heightened by Jason’s hand being over Bombay’s mouth, and then the sight of Jason’s hands moving up to squeeze Bombay’s skull, leaving Chris completely isolated.

Jimmy in Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter

Without a doubt, one of the most impressive A-list slasher sequels ever produced is “Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter“. This film boasts several elements that make it stand out. For example, Crispin Glover delivers an electrifying performance, which was only a year away from his breakout role in “Back to the Future“. In “The Final Chapter“, Glover portrays Jimmy Mortimer, a heartsick teenager who has just been dumped and decides to join his friends on their summer house rental. Unfortunately for them, their vacation doesn’t last even a full week, let alone a full summer.

In this movie, although not entirely conclusive, there are several impressive kill scenes. The most notable is the death of Mortimer, who after being dumped by twin Tina Moore, goes downstairs to get some celebratory wine. He inquires about the corkscrew from his unpleasant friend Ted. Instead of answering, Jason swiftly uses the corkscrew to pin Mortimer’s hand to the counter and follows it up by brutally striking his face with a meat cleaver. This kill scene stands out as the best among the rest.

Judy in Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood

In the Friday the 13th movie where Jason has his most recognizable physical form, there’s also an iconic kill that many fans might agree is unforgettable. Interestingly, despite this standout moment, Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood is often considered the least impactful film in Paramount’s eight-film series of this franchise. If the additional scenes could somehow be polished for a potential Scream Factory 4K re-release in the future, it would undoubtedly delight fans (hint, hint).

One of the more absurd decisions in the film was the demise of character Judy Williams early on, which didn’t directly contribute to the main storyline about a surprise party. Judy and her boyfriend Dan Carter are merely campers who happened to pitch their tent in Crystal Lake, notoriously known as the murder capital. After brutally killing Dan by puncturing his heart, Jason Voorhees focuses on Williams. He rips open the tent, grabs her, seals her inside a sleeping bag, and smashes the bag against a tree. Unfortunately, most of these brutal impacts were edited out by the MPAA, reducing the scene’s darkly comedic effect. However, it still manages to work effectively. It wasn’t until the seventh film that Jason used a sleeping bag in a camper’s death (and he would repeat this gruesome method three films later with similar humor).

Julius in Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan

Jason Takes Manhattan is often considered the lowest point during Paramount’s years, yet it’s also overlooked as a hidden gem. Depending on how you perceive it, it could either be a complete flop in terms of scary movies or an entertaining horror-comedy with some humor scattered throughout its 100 minutes.

It’s plausible that director Rob Hedden intended to create a blend of horror and comedy, as suggested by certain scenes. For instance, the moment when Jason kicks a noisy boombox down the curb in what appears to be Manhattan (but is actually Vancouver), causing trouble for the young delinquents enjoying it, followed by him lifting his mask to scare them off. Another example is the boxing kill scene. Julius Gaw manages to survive the perilous journey of the S.S. Lazarus from Crystal Lake to Manhattan, but he doesn’t stand a chance once they reach the city. Despite landing approximately 80 punches on Voorhees while they were on a rooftop, his efforts were in vain. Unfortunately for Gaw, all Voorhees needed was one punch, which sent his head flying off the side of the building and into a dumpster.

Adrienne in Jason X

In the same film, which revisits the sleeping bag kill from “The New Blood,” titled “Jason X,” we were introduced to Jason Voorhees’ most distinctive kill yet. Despite being overly cheesy throughout, when it comes to the kills, “Jason X” serves as a fitting finale for Kane Hodder, who made his debut in the seventh film mentioned earlier.

The film titled “Jason X” showcases an unusual scene where Jason impales someone with a massive screw, protruding from the floor, but it doesn’t take the crown for the best kill (though it comes close). Instead, the most striking death scene occurs when Adrienne Thomas-Hart, an intern aboard The Grendel spaceship, meets her untimely demise. She’s among a group of New Harvard University alumni and students being transported from Earth II to our Earth, but she doesn’t complete the journey. During an autopsy on the recently thawed Jason, he seizes her by the head, forces her face into liquid nitrogen, and slams her freeze-dried face onto a countertop. It seems New Line Cinema produced this movie for two primary reasons: to preserve the rights for the eventual production of “Freddy vs. Jason” and to showcase that iconic kill scene.

You can watch the initial eight movies titled “Friday the 13th” for free, with advertisements, on Pluto TV. Meanwhile, you can either rent or purchase the movie called “Jason X” on Amazon Prime Video.

2025-02-04 01:10