Jason Voorhees, the legendary hockey-masked slasher, has officially returned to the screen after a 16-year live-action hiatus in a surprise short film funded by hard cider brand Angry Orchard.
The Long-Awaited Resurrection
Despite his status as a horror icon, it has been nearly two decades since Jason last stalked the grounds of Camp Crystal Lake in an official production. While the character has made appearances in video games like MultiVersus and Mortal Kombat, his last cinematic slaughter occurred back in 2009. That drought finally ended on August 13 with the YouTube release of Sweet Revenge.
A Familiar Slasher Experience
The 15-minute short film follows a group of couples at a lakeside cabin, leaning heavily into the classic Friday the 13th tropes fans know and love. From ominous warnings and strange noises in the woods to the quintessential struggle of failing to start a getaway car, the film captures the franchise’s DNA perfectly. While the pacing takes a moment to ramp up, the result is a gritty, nostalgic experience, featuring a refreshed—albeit leaner—design for the iconic killer.
Product Placement Meets Brutality
Perhaps the most unexpected aspect of Sweet Revenge is its financial backing. The project was funded by the beverage company Angry Orchard. According to writer and director Mike P. Nelson, the brand proved to be a hands-off partner, allowing the creative team to integrate thematic elements—like apples—naturally rather than forcing intrusive advertising. This includes a particularly visceral kill involving an apple that highlights the film’s high-octane gore.
What Lies Ahead for the Jason Universe?
The intensity of the kills is such that the film is restricted on certain platforms, requiring viewers to head to YouTube to experience the full carnage. As for the narrative, the ending of Sweet Revenge leaves the door wide open for future installments. Nelson has expressed a strong desire to continue the story if granted the opportunity by Horror Inc. and the Jason Universe initiative.
With the “Jason Universe” project actively seeking to expand the franchise, this short serves as a promising proof-of-concept. Fans can only hope that the next official chapter doesn’t take another 16 years to materialize.
