Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan

From How Did This Get Made?

"Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan" follows Jason Voorhees as he is inadvertently awakened from his watery grave and embarks on a murderous spree aboard a ship carrying high school graduates bound for New York City. Despite its title suggesting a more substantial New York presence, much of the film focuses on the journey to the city, featuring moments of absurdity and mediocrity that invite viewers to question how this film came to be.

Key Takeaways

  • Forget Manhattan, Jason's real talent lies in taking our patience; a masterclass in cinematic mediocrity.
  • In 1989, New York was grittier—think rats, trash, and crack candles—definitely not Disney's Times Square.
  • This film wields horror like a dull knife; if suspense had a musical score, it might actually work.
  • The framework of 'takes Manhattan' seems more an homage to Muppets than horror—who knew? Comedy’s lurking.
  • While Freddy rips through nightmares, Jason stabs at ennui; horror at its finest, or dullest, you decide.

Mentioned in This Episode