Ah, 2003–the days of Bratz and flip phones. While I have no memory of this year, I find that looking back on the films of that period gives me a good idea of the pop culture climate of the time, especially its landmark horror films. It was drastically different from what we see nowadays in terms of buildup and visibility online.

In August 2003, Ronny Yu’s Freddy vs. Jason (2003) cut through theaters after what felt like ages of demand from slasher fans. The film was a financial hit, grossing over $100 million on a $30 million budget. What else was there to talk about other than a smackdown starring two of horror’s biggest icons? This was the match of the century, and, 21 years later, it seems like a moment in time audiences may never get back.

Nowadays, it seems like everything has to have at least a few years of buildup to “make sense” from a studio greenlight standpoint (I’m looking at you, Marvel Studios). I adore Freddy vs. Jason because that buildup was unnecessary for audiences to have a good time. Putting Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees in a sandbox and making them fight each other is all you need to enjoy yourself. The difference today is the soullessness of the presentation. Crossover/multiverse/event movies place so much emphasis on the audience pointing at a character when they appear and not the actual cinematic craft necessary to make it memorable. Freddy vs. Jason differs in that it creates an aesthetic for itself right off the bat while also setting up its plot. 

Freddy vs. Jason is a complex film, but it is also not without its faults. It features noticeably bland writing and characterization, yet I find myself able to laugh at it rather than cringe. This film isn’t evoking Shakespeare, but it doesn’t need to. It’s about a dream demon fighting a summer camp killer. It’s particularly enjoyable in group settings and features some of the gnarliest violence in a modern slasher. Noses are ripped off and people are folded in half via pull-out beds; this is not a film that aims to take itself seriously at all. It’s an enjoyably gory 97 minutes despite mediocre character work all around. 

Upon rewatch, I realized there was more to appreciate than I expected. There are insanely overblown wire stunts that defy gravity in the funniest way possible. Anytime a character gets hit they go flying backwards. It’s moments like those that remind me why we had it better than we realized with slasher movies. Freddy vs. Jason aims to provide a high-quality visual and technical experience, which we don’t see often in modern slashers. 

Despite my love for its ridiculous physics, this film suffers from a problem rampant in the original Friday the 13th movies: annoying and dumb teenage characters. They’re a staple in the genre, but I find their presence in Freddy vs. Jason to be particularly egregious. Like I said, it makes for some unintentional laughter in group settings, but it can be a bit much.

I find it imperative that I talk about the stars of the show: Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees. These are decent enough depictions of both characters, but I found Freddy’s portrayal to be unnecessarily sexual and Jason’s to be subdued in places. Although Jason feels like a side character and I wish his slashing was explored more,  I am still happy with what we got from the Crystal Lake killer. The sequence where Jason is on fire in the cornfield remains my favorite Jason sequence in any movie. Freddy takes more of a priority in this film, though, pushing Jason’s buttons to get the town of Springwood to fear him again. 

Despite my qualms with each character’s depictions, I’m there to see them fight. And fight they do. Freddy and Jason’s brawls are backed with some of the coolest rock music ever put to film. Ronny Yu nails the early 2000s nu-metal vibe in these parts specifically; it’s exactly what the film needs to succeed. 

Freddy vs. Jason is a film that reminds me of a time that I just barely experienced. Cinematic universes and nostalgia bait unheard of, it’s a look back at one of the most successful slashers of all time and one of the most iconic match-ups of all time. Freddy vs. Jason reminds me that we had it good 21 years ago, and we may never get a film quite like this again.

Review Courtesy of Nadia Arain

Image credit to New Line Cinema via Bloody Disgusting