Reviews are now in for Peacock’s “Crystal Lake,” the upcoming limited series that serves as a prequel to the “Friday the 13th” film franchise.
With 28 reviews counted, the show is sitting at 86% (7.6/10) on Rotten Tomatoes, which is actually the best score of any work in the franchise to date.
The reviews all suggest the same thing. Those expecting a serious drama giving the franchise newfound respectability and credibility, look elsewhere. Those wanting a fun new entry to the franchise complete with respectful lore, wild kills and embracing the franchise’s entertaining tone – you’ve got it.
Here’s a sampling of reviews:
“Crystal Lake works in large part thanks to Linda Cardellini’s turn as Pamela Voorhees, while showrunner Brad Caleb Kane brings a thorough knowledge of the original source material to the series.” – Scott Collura, IGN
“There’s plenty here to have fun with—including, we must mention again, multiple death scenes that rival some of the juiciest in the entire Friday franchise.” – Cheryl Eddy, io9
“A return to Camp Crystal Lake whose gleeful, self-conscious absurdity fits a franchise defined by daffiness.” – Nick Schager, The Daily Beast
“The primary reason to keep watching is Cardellini, who makes Pamela her own with few traces of Betsy Palmer’s fine, very broad work in the first film.” – Daniel Fienberg, THR
“If the premise of finally finding out why Jason became Jason and why his mother snapped and killed those teens intrigues you, Crystal Lake is a pretty entertaining attempt at answering those questions.” – Jake Kleinman, Polygon
“So, while “Crystal Lake” is a middling show – not terrible; but not great – it’s a worthy entry in this franchise.” – Lauren Sarner, NY Post
“And like too many horror series adapted movie franchises (I Know What You Did Last Summer, The Purge, Scream), it tries to extend a premise that was never especially rich in its original incarnation and has since been exhausted by endless sequels.” – Judy Berman, TIME
“What’s waiting isn’t exactly mind-blowing, and I suspect franchise die-hards will be happier being left to their collective, unlimited imaginations.” – Ben Travers, Indiewire
“Crystal Lake” is set to release in full on Peacock on Friday.
