Film of the Day: "Sweet Revenge" — First Horror Film in the "Friday the 13th" Universe in 16 Years

Jason Voorhees emerges from the shadows once again. Director and screenwriter Mike P. Nelson has given fans 15 minutes of classic horror at Crystal Lake.

After 16 years, the cult slasher has returned in the short film "Sweet Revenge," which anyone can watch for free on the Jason Universe YouTube channel.

What the film's about

The plot follows a group of teenagers who arrive at a camp for vacation and become Jason's new targets. All the franchise's familiar elements are in place: dark woods, a sense of hopelessness, and that signature hockey mask.
Sweet Revenge trailer
The cast includes Ellie Ioannides, Skyler White, Natassia Wakey, Toussaint Morrison, and Chris Carlson.

Viewing impressions

"Sweet Revenge" definitely comes across as a love letter to the series. It's got practical effects, atmospheric outdoor cinematography, and several bloody scenes that fans have been waiting for. The only downside? The ending cuts off too abruptly, as if the creators left room for a sequel.

Interesting details

The film marks the official reboot of Jason's character in the Jason Universe. Some serious industry players were involved: producer Chad Villella ("The Strangers: Prey at Night," "Abigail") and Victor Miller, who wrote the original "Friday the 13th" screenplay. That's exactly why "Sweet Revenge" doesn't look like fan fiction—it's a genuine canonical project.

Critical and audience reaction

On IMDb, the film holds a 5.8/10 rating, and in the YouTube comments, fans are writing: The music and sets were on point. I think Jason needs to be a bit bigger. But still pretty good!
A frightened girl's face with a man in a white mask holding a knife on the right
Frames from Sweet Revenge
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And reviewer Tim Trickle notes in his IMDb review: The film is beautifully shot. The setting is gorgeous and the characters are very good. The final scene with the girl is really good and I liked the ending. Jason looks menacing.

Why it's worth watching

"Sweet Revenge" delivers 15 minutes of signature horror that brings back the atmosphere of the old Crystal Lake films. It's not perfect, but that's exactly the charm—we're looking at a living proof of concept that could mark the beginning of a new era for the franchise. Earlier, we at zoomboola.com covered "Sweet Home"—the Japanese horror that spawned the Resident Evil universe.