Summer of '89: Jason vs. Freddy

Facing your fear doesn't always conquer it.

The Summer of '89 saw appearances from two of horror's most iconic killers: Jason Voorhees and Freddy Krueger. With these Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street entries coming out on July 28th and August 11th respectively, we're splitting the difference and reviewing both during this in-between week.

Why? Because not only do the two films' actions and decisions mirror each other in many ways, but because we've got plenty to talk about next week already...

Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989)

A group of students on a graduation cruise bound for Manhattan soon realize they’ve got a stowaway aboard the ship: serial killer Jason Voorhees.

July 28, 1989

Kane Hodder, Jensen Daggett, Scott Reeves, Barbara Bingham, Peter Mark Richman
cinematography by Bryan England
music by Fred Mollin
screenplay by Rob Hedden
produced by Randolph Cheveldave
directed by Rob Hedden

It's pretty well-known by now that in Jason Takes Manhattan, he only barely takes Manhattan. He spends most of the film on a boat to Manhattan. We've had 35 years to get over it, but it's still a bummer because it's pre-Giuliani New York, so it's scummy and sleazy and scary. The little bit of Jason in Manhattan that we do get is pretty fun, if only because he rides the subway and punches a guy's head off in one clean stroke.