'Friday the 13th': From Crystal Lake terror to a 'Nightmare' crossover, grading the 12 films

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Set us as preferred Winding up on the floor of a movie theater is never a good thing.But that’s where one frightened audience member wound up in 1980 after seeing “Friday the 13th” in a sweltering Hollywood theater.The filmgoer — OK, it was me! — was finally breathing easily as “final girl” Alice Hardy (Adrienne King), the sole survivor in the murderous rampage that had killed her fellow Camp Crystal Lake counselors, sat in a canoe, waiting to be rescued.Then suddenly, a grotesque moss-covered child leapt out of the water, grabbing Alice and pulling her down into the lake.At that moment, it felt like my head was literally coming off.

The only other time that feeling hit me was during Brian De Palma’s “Carrie,” when Carrie White (Sissy Spacek) reached from her grave to grab Sue Snell (Amy Irving).“Friday the 13th” launched an iconic franchise featuring Jason Voorhees, a hulking, mute masked killer with an insatiable appetite for blood, especially when hormonally charged, obnoxious young people were involved.Jason’s superstar status has survived close to 50 years, via a dozen installments.

The fanaticism of “Friday the 13th” devotees is evidenced by one devoted disciple who recently posted an emotional YouTube testimonial detailing how his out-of-print “Friday the 13th” box set was one of the few items he grabbed while escaping last year’s Eaton fire.Peacock’s “Crystal Lake” brings fresh energy to the “Friday the 13th” franchise while reflecting much of the flavor and style of the original film.The prequel series stars Linda Cardellini (“DTF St.

Louis”) as Jason’s mother, Pamela Voorhees, who suffers a breakdown after the accidental drowning of her son at Camp Crystal Lake.The drama, now streaming, traces her evolution from grieving mother to vengeful killer.

Television Peac...