Panned by critics during its initial release, Friday the 13th (1980) is arguably the quintessential American slasher. It also launched a seemingly unstoppable franchise. With an iconic villain (Jason Voorhees), an instantly identifiable location (Camp Crystal Lake), and a rabid fan base that expresses its adoration through everything from clothing to tattoos, the Friday the 13th franchise still has an indelible presence in the popular zeitgeist nearly 40 years later. The film has generated countless sequels, inspired a comic book and a television series, and even resulted in a survival horror video game; yet, there is a surprising dearth of scholarship devoted to the franchise.
In honor of the original film’s 40th anniversary, Horror Homeroom presents our first ever special issue. With 17 original essays, both academic and personal, we hope to celebrate the cultural and cinematic legacies of this much maligned series.
