‘Jason X’ Is the Most Ridiculous Film in the Friday the 13th Franchise — but That’s Why It Rules

After the release of Friday the 13th in 1980, a slasher film franchise was born. Except for Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning, they were pretty solid efforts through Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives. The subsequent sequels from Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood left a lot to be desired, and when Jason X hit theaters in 2001, it was at a disadvantage because of the franchise’s decline. Considered an “oddball” entry in the series, critics rolled their eyes, fans turned away, and casual moviegoers felt it had jumped the shark. Considering Jason had been sent to hell, taken Manhattan, and battled a telekinetic teen, how much weirder could it get? It was the kind of creativity where only the boldest (or most reckless) move would keep audiences talking, and Jason X managed to be both at once.