One of my most memorable experiences at the theater was seeing Friday the 13th (2009) when it premiered, and it’s part of the reason why I believe the movie deserves more respect. The theater was packed, and I remember the buzz of excitement from what I assumed were new and old fans of the Friday the 13th franchise. The audience was completely engaged, gasping at the unexpected turn of events, laughing at the jokes, and reacting loudly to every kill. Unfortunately, the remake is looked down upon for a few of the very aspects that make the film great.

Directed by Marcus Nispel (Pathfinder, 2003’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) and written by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift, the 2009 reboot has the elements viewers have come to expect from the franchise, such as college-aged kids partying in the woods and Jason Voorhees taking them out one by one, raising the Friday the 13th kill count. However, the film subverts expectations with surprising twists, a character-driven plot, intentional humor that pays off, and a Jason who is at his scariest.

2009’s Friday The 13th Was Different Than The Rest Of The Franchise

Audiences were introduced to a new Jason Voorhees and a killer opening sequence

In my opinion, the original first two films are the strongest installments in the Friday the 13th franchise, while the sequels ahead of the 2009 movie range in quality. When the idea of a Friday the 13th remake came around, instead of copying the same tone that carried on throughout each follow-up, Nispel and his team of writers settled on bringing a different flavor of Jason Voorhees to the big screen. This included finding a way to intertwine horror and comedy, along with a new take on the hockey-masked killer that helps the movie stand out.

For me, one of the smartest ways Friday the 13th (2009) pays homage to the original is by maintaining Jason’s origin story and connection with his homicidal, vengeful mother. However, the movie doubles down on that relationship as it becomes a significant part of the story. Watching it for the first time, I was surprised by how the remake puts his grief and delusions centered on his dead mom front and center in clever ways that exemplify some of his actions. Instead of a seemingly mindless slasher, this Jason Voorhees is a more intelligent killer who sets traps and moves faster than the original.

Jason feels more vicious and terrifying in this movie; his outrage at these strangers trespassing in the woods he calls home is palpable with each kill. This is especially true in the first 23 minutes of Friday the 13th, which serves as the entire opening sequence before the title card is eventually revealed. I, and likely other viewers as well, believed the first characters introduced would be those we followed throughout the movie — until all of them, save one, are brutally slaughtered by Jason. The beginning of the film is its own horror short, a bloody twist that instantly makes it unique.

Jared Padalecki’s Clay Miller Was The Perfect Final Boy

The Supernatural actor was a seasoned horror star before portraying Clay Miller

Jared Padalecki’s Clay Miller is another aspect of the movie that works well for me. Before starring in Friday the 13th (2009), Padalecki had already been featured in two horror films: 2005’s House of Wax remake and Jeff Wadlow’s Cry Wolf. Of course, he was more well-known for his roles as Dean Forester in Gilmore Girls and Sam Winchester in the long-running series Supernatural. Though horror elements were far more prevalent in the first few seasons of Supernatural than they were in later installments, his role as Sam, as well as his other horror projects, showed Padalecki thrives in genre storytelling.

I believe his performance in Friday the 13th benefits from this experience. Another of Padalecki’s strengths has always been bringing the core of a character’s being to the surface. Clay exhibits an earnestness and sincerity while searching for his missing sister, Whitney (Amanda Righetti), and reacts genuinely to the events happening around him. As Clay, Padalecki knows how to balance the character’s softness with a determination to protect and survive, which we only see in some of the best final horror characters.

A key element of a final character is bravery, and the way Clay displays this particular trait is another reason why Padalecki’s role works so well for me. In the end, after finally finding Whitney — and unexpectedly losing assumed final girl, Jenna — Clay knows Jason will be coming for them, so he finds a weapon and waits. Working together, Clay and Whitney face their fears and are left standing as the final boy and final girl, besting Jason (until the last jump scare, that is). For me, this effective character moment is a central part of the movie’s appeal.

Derek Mears Was A Great Jason Voorhees In The Friday The 13th Reboot

The remake’s Jason was a powerful and intimidating slasher

Actor and stuntman Derek Mears has had a steady career for over two decades, but I believe Jason Voorhees is his most memorable role. It allowed Mears an opportunity to show off his stunt work and ability to personify a new take on the Crystal Lake slasher. This Jason is athletic, strategic, and quick. The 2009 version required someone who could be convincing as a competent, terrifying presence on-screen and a believable threat, and Mears’ performance is a huge part of why the film works as well as it does.

Besides his physicality, acting, and stunt experience, I think Mears’ height greatly benefits his portrayal of Jason as he towers above most of his victims. Equally important, Padalecki and Mears are roughly the same height, about 6’5″, making the climactic brawl between Clay and Jason at the film’s end appear as though the two men are on equal footing — and partially why Clay lasts as long as he does. Mears made Jason Voorhees intimidating and an adept hunter, which makes sense considering he has all the time in the world to hone his skills alone in the woods.

The Friday The 13th Reboot Was Genuinely Funny

The movie’s humor mixed in seamlessly with the scary tone

What I remember most about seeing the Friday the 13th reboot in theaters was how consistently it made the audience laugh. Nispel and the writers ensured a scary experience for viewers, though they again stepped away from the early original films by sprinkling in quite a bit of levity. A full theater reacting to every bit, wisecrack, and often silly joke was enough to leave me knowing the filmmakers crafted a special piece of horror history that successfully stood out on its own.

While many characters had their time to shine in brief yet hilarious moments, Aaron Yoo’s Chewie provides the best bits of funny dialogue throughout the film. Not every viewer is looking for humor in horror, but I believe this reimagining of Friday the 13th perfectly balances the movie’s scares and tension with effective comedic scenes. The multi-genre storytelling fits the characters and narrative well, bringing a fresh take on a classic horror franchise. The 2009 remake deserves more respect for offering audiences a taste of something different yet still familiar and entirely enjoyable.