Crystal Lake (Television Show, 2026)

My Mom died suddenly, 10 years ago. She would have been 80 today. Let's do a little mama celebrating with:

Crystal Lake

As stated in my Carrie review, I knew I was going to be talking about this eventually.  Hell, heartbreakingly, nearly 10 years ago exactly I wrote my review on Friday the 13th (and about a memorial for Mom). 

OH LIFE. 

YOU ARE FUNNY

I absolutely loved this show. Absolutely loved it.

Right away, we see Jason as the kid we all knew was there. Just a .... kid. A smart and curious kid who is wildly loved by his mother. It's a shame about his face, head, and the  radiation....

And we see his mother! A dedicated and hardworking single Mom making ends meet with side jobs and maybe hiding out from something.

This show is *slick*. I mean that in multiple ways. Where the original movie is, perhaps, grainy and loosey goosey, this show ties up frayed ends and really connects the viewers to the humanity behind the "monsters". 

Naturally, we have sex curious teens, to be expected, but they don't play the same role as they do in the movies. Not exactly. They are acknowledged and almost act as tributes - with rather spectacularly gory death scenes, and their morals and downfalls are not really the terror of the film.

This show is about heartbreak, friendship, madness, desperation, psychosis, insane scientists, abusive relationships, and those unfortunate to be caught in the cross fires of all that.

This is the 8 episode story of a Mom trapped and the lengths she'll go to protect a child who the world would otherwise abandon or exploit. 

Mama just loved her kid.

I think what made this series work so well is that it really felt like it was made with LOVE (not necessarily a Mama's love) by people who understood the Jason lore. They understood the first film (and the 3rd....), in particular, and took all the great parts and refined them. Sharpened them. Doubled down. 

Again, I love this show! It's not for the newbies though. I really think you need to see *at least* the first movie to appreciate the series. Also, it's a gore fest - a shockingly delightful blood bath, so get your rain/splatter gear on and hold tight.

Best watched with Moms. Pairs with cafeteria food and canned beverages. I watched this show on Peacock or use the Find It! Watch It! links to see where else you can eventually find this SLASHER.