On this Friday the 13th, it’s hard not to think of the famous horror movie franchise that shares its name with today. While I’m not a die-hard fan of the classic slasher films, I am deeply fond of another series in which Jason Voorhees has a link. It’s not the Nightmare on Elm Street saga that I’m referring to, but rather the Evil Dead movies.
Correct, your understanding is on point: the chilling figure from horror films, recognized by his hockey mask and machete, does indeed share a connection with the gruesome, demonic possession world created by Sam Raimi in his ultra-gory films. This connection is further explored in two forthcoming horror movies that are currently being developed. So, you might be wondering: how do the Friday the 13th movies tie into the Evil Dead universe? For connoisseurs of classic horror, this link may already be familiar; for those who aren’t, let me shed some light…
Jason Voorhees Is A Deadite
1993’s “Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday” may not be hailed as one of the top “Friday the 13th” movies, but it is acknowledged for shedding light on the enigma surrounding Jason Voorhees’ relentless killing spree at Crystal Lake and beyond. Interestingly, Jason seemingly perishes in the opening scene, yet his influence persists through physical possession. Essentially, this film explores how such a phenomenon could occur.
Main character Steve Freeman (played by John D. LeMay) unearths at the Voorhees residence an unusual book, known to fans of “Evil Dead” as the Necronomicon Ex Mortis, or the Book of the Dead. This suggests that Pamela Voorhees (the infamous horror villain initially portrayed by Betsy Palmer) utilized this leather-bound, ink-stained book to revive her late son, Jason, with some success, transforming him into a killing machine. Essentially, Jason Voorhees shares similarities with the spiritually possessed “Deadites” that Ash Williams fights using his chainsaw-equipped hand replacement.
The Lore Goes Deeper In A Comic Book
Discussing the cunning and sassy hero from horror films portrayed by Bruce Campbell as Ash Williams, it’s worth mentioning that he had a showdown, albeit not on the screen, with the infamous Jason Voorhees. In the ending of Jason Goes to Hell, there was a hint at a crossover between Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street, which eventually came true with the debut of Freddy vs. Jason a decade later. Campbell reminisced to radio host Sam Roberts about how New Line Cinema proposed a sequel featuring his character battling slasher villains, including Jason, but due to several production-related issues, nothing concrete came out of it.
The notion could spark a comic book named “Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash“, jointly produced by DC’s Wildstorm and Dynamite Entertainment. Writer James Kuhoric weaves the intricate crossover hints from the successful franchises (such as the Necromonicon appearance in “Jason Goes to Hell” and a shot of Freddy Krueger’s glove in the beloved horror-comedy movie “Evil Dead II“) into one intense, gory battle series spanning six issues.
Previously discussed, the “Evil Dead” movie series is progressing with Sébastien Vaniček’s “Evil Dead Burn” and another anthological feature spin-off in production, as well as the saga of Jason Voorhees with the upcoming Peacock horror TV show titled “Crystal Lake”. Could the bond between these exhilarating franchises deepen with the arrival of these upcoming productions? We’ll have to wait and see. In the meantime, have a joyous and secure Friday the 13th!
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2025-06-13 19:07