Last week I wrote about the profession by the writer/director of JASON GOES TO HELL: THE FINAL FRIDAY that the movie, and the entire FRIDAY THE 13TH franchise, is linked to the EVIL DEAD mythos, that Jason was resurrected after his mother, Pamela, used a spell from the Necronomicon, and that Jason is in fact a Deadite. Some fanboys have pushed back against this assertion, citing as evidence that Jason does not behave at all like a Deadite. This is true, although I expect their objections are based more on the fact that they didn’t like the ninth FRIDAY movie–I didn’t, either–than on Jason’s peculiar personality.
I don’t think anybody would suggest that Jason isn’t a special case. He is something more, much more, than your run of the mill Deadite. Why is that? This might make for a good future film in itself, giving us an answer to that question. The main point is, though, this doesn’t disqualify Jason as a Deadite. The quality, or lack thereof, of JASON GOES TO HELL notwithstanding, the explanation provided in that film makes sense. As such, I will stick with it, until such time as a better, more plausible one is offered. That Jason draws his unearthly, maleficent powers from the Necronomicon is a far more satisfying prospect than his REAL origin story: Killer that can’t be killed. Wearing a scary mask. Operates on a day with scary connotations. His film franchise is named after said day. Has a common male, two-syllable name. Sound familiar? All Jason is lacking is the instantly recognizable theme song and he’d be a carbon copy of Michael Myers. I prefer the Necronomicon angle. It lends him a little distinction.
Unless Michael Myers is ALSO powered by the Necronomicon?! There IS a new HALLOWEEN film in the works, after all…