10 Things Everyone Always Gets Wrong About Jason Voorhees
You know Jason's not human... right?
Jason Voorhees is one of the most iconic characters in all of horror. He has haunted drive-in cinemas for generations, looming about the shores of Crystal Lake in hope of snatching up unsuspecting camp counsellors.
Even someone who's never dared to watch a horror movie knows his name, and he has become more associated with hockey masks than the sport of hockey itself, granting the garment the unofficial rebrand of the ‘Jason mask.’
It would be fair to say that his mainstream fame has far outshone the popularity of the Friday the 13th film series he came from.
Despite the fact that everyone knows his name and his signature appearance, the character is plagued by a great many misconceptions. From misunderstandings about his weapon of choice to accusations of plagiarism and lacking character, it is understandable that many people who are aware of the Crystal Lake Slasher, without having seen any of the films, might have a few gaps in their knowledge.
Let's remedy the things everyone always gets wrong about Jason Voorhees.
10. He’s The Killer In The First Movie
Friday the 13th, classic 1980s slasher flick about a group of teenagers who stay at Camp Crystal Lake during the summer, only to be systematically picked off by the masked maniac Jason Voorhees.
That’s it, isn’t it?
Well, no. Like the fatal mistake Drew Barrymore made in the opening of Scream, the killer in the first movie is not Jason, but his mother, Pamela Voorhees, played by the late Betsy Palmer. Jason does appear in a minor way, seen drowning as a young boy during flashbacks, and for a brief jumpscare at the end, but it’s a far cry from how he's presented in later movies.
Jason’s minimal screen time may be surprising for first-time viewers; he's the star of the franchise that everyone recognises, but he doesn’t get a major role until the second film. For the first two acts, the movie keeps its killer silent and unseen, filming much of the action from her point of view. Mrs Voorhees isn’t introduced until the third act, so it fails as a whodunnit, but Palmer makes up for it with her memorable performance.
What speaks to Jason’s strength as a character is that he has emerged as one of the most famous movie monsters of all time, despite having such a small role during the first instalment.