| Fictional character, killer Date of Birth: . |
Jason Voorhees stands as one of the most enduring figures in the horror genre, solidifying his legacy as the central character in the classic "Friday the 13th" film series.
Born with severe hydrocephalus, Jason's disfigurement and subsequent drowning in Crystal Lake left his mother, Pamela Voorhees, consumed by a thirst for vengeance. She became the primary antagonist in the first "Friday the 13th" film, embarking on a bloody rampage against camp counselors whom she blamed for her son's death.
After his mother's demise, Jason emerged as the main villain in the subsequent films. In "Friday the 13th Part III," he adopted his iconic hockey mask, becoming a terrifying symbol of death and destruction. His secluded existence in the woods surrounding Crystal Lake served as his domain, where he relentlessly pursued his victims.
Despite being seemingly killed in each installment, Jason repeatedly returned from the grave, his resilience and supernatural abilities making him nigh unstoppable. Each film's plotline featured a group of teenagers meeting their grisly fates at the hands of the masked killer.
The "Friday the 13th" franchise experimented with different narrative devices to keep the story fresh. In "Friday the 13th: A New Beginning," Jason's spirit possessed a copycat killer, while "Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday" depicted his soul trapped in a book. "Jason X" transported the villain to the 25th century, granting him superhuman strength and regenerative powers.
In the film "Freddy vs. Jason," Jason crossed paths with another iconic horror character, Freddy Krueger. The two titans of terror fought a brutal battle, with Freddy initially manipulating Jason but ultimately being defeated.
Jason Voorhees remains a cultural touchstone, his appearance synonymous with the horror genre. His unyielding pursuit, silent demeanor, and relentless pursuit of victims have made him a symbol of the archetypal slasher villain. Despite numerous attempts to humanize or explain his motivations, Jason's enigmatic nature and primal instincts have solidified his position as one of the most recognizable and terrifying villains in cinema history.