Cast
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Robert Englund
as Freddy Krueger
Ken Kirzinger
as Jason Voorhees
Monica Keena
as Lori Campbell
Jason Ritter
as Will Rollins
Kelly Rowland
as Kia Waterson
Katharine Isabelle
as Gibb
Christopher Rodriguez Marquette
as Charlie Linderman
Brendan Fletcher
as Mark Davis
Tom Butler
as Dr. Campbell
Lochlyn Munro
as Deputy Scott Stubbs
Kyle Labine
as Bill Freeburg
Zack Ward
as Bobby Davis
Paula Shaw
as Mrs. Pamela Voorhees
Garry Chalk
as Sheriff Williams
Jesse Hutch
as Trey
Crew
Director
- Ronny Yu
Producer
- Sean S. Cunningham
Reviews
Gimly
I don't think I can go so far as to call _Freddy vs. Jason_ good. But I can still be honest about the fact that I love it. Considering it mad-grabs the humour from both its delivering franchises late-stage entries, with the bizarre, ethereal yet quippy flavour of _Elm Street_, and the body count of a _Friday the 13th_, how could I not?
Crappy acting, unbelievable SFX, hack script, completely disrespectful to the canon of both parents, yet eminently re-watchable for any occasion.
_Final rating:★★★½ - I really liked it. Would strongly recommend you give it your time._
Jun 1, 2018
Gimly
I don't think I can go so far as to call _Freddy vs. Jason_ good. But I can still be honest about the fact that I love it. Considering it mad-grabs the humour from both its delivering franchises late-stage entries, with the bizarre, ethereal yet quippy flavour of _Elm Street_, and the body count of a _Friday the 13th_, how could I not?
Crappy acting, unbelievable SFX, hack script, completely disrespectful to the canon of both parents, yet eminently re-watchable for any occasion.
_Final rating:★★★½ - I really liked it. Would strongly recommend you give it your time._
Jun 1, 2018
Wuchak
***Worthy new millennium entry in the Friday & Nightmare franchises, until they clash, that is***
To be expected, 2003's "Freddy vs. Jason" mixes together elements of the "Nightmare" and "Friday" franchises. Both franchises had essentially ran out of gas in the early 90s -- the last conventional "Friday" movie, before 2001's "Jason X," came out a decade earlier and the last "Nightmare" movie almost as long. So mixing up the formats was a great way to introduce these modern monsters to a new generation as well as re-introduce them to the old.
THE PLOT: Freddy Krueger, the wicked spirit of a child molester/serial killer, is trapped in hell and unable to wreak havoc on the youths of Springwood, Ohio, because they have forgotten him and therefore no longer believe. Krueger's diabolical plan is to lure Jason from Crystal Lake, NJ, to Springwood and inspire him to go on a killing spree, which would naturally be blamed on Kruger, thus giving him the power to return.
Some say "Freddy vs. Jason" is more of a "Nightmare" film than a "Friday" film, and I can see why, but it's really an equal parts crossover. Once Jason is led to Springwood it essentially becomes a "Nightmare" movie with Jason as the antagonist until Freddy gains enough power; by that time the story switches to Crystal Lake for the finale and even provides an insightful flashback (via a dream sequence) of Jason's youth and abuse.
One of the highlights takes place early in the second act: Jason's flaming attack at a teen party in a cornfield; it's a dynamic sequence and features great opticals.
As with all the Friday films, "FvJ" features a nice assortment of women, beginning with the cameo of Heather (Odessa Munroe) in the opening reel. She's pretty much on par with the cameo of Agent Marcus (Julie Michaels) at the beginning of "Jason Goes to Hell." From there we have cutie Katharine Isabelle as a secondary protagonist and Monica Keena as the heroine. It took me about half the movie to warm up to Monica but she ultimately won me over.
"Freddy vs. Jason" is a noticeably more technically sophisticated than the first nine "Friday" movies. Don't get me wrong, it's very cartoony and hardly scary (except for jump scares and gore), but it LOOKS so much better and has more oomph. The story’s also way more involved than the first eight entries and “Jason X,” which makes the film play better on repeat viewings.
The fight between the two monsters in the closing act is a cinematic tradition going back earlier than 1945's "The Wolf Man vs. Dracula" (aka "House of Dracula"), but it's the weak point of the movie for me because it's just too cartoony. The film works as horror with either Jason or Freddy attacking the youths, but when they finally clash in the action-packed climax it's just too comic booky.
The film runs 97 minutes and was shot mostly in British Columbia, Canada (e.g. Buntzen Lake, Anmore), but also Toronto.
GRADE: B
Jul 20, 2019
Andre Gonzales
I was so excited to hear this movie coming out. It didn't disappoint. My two greatest horror killers of all time battling each other. Love this movie.
Apr 18, 2023
Andre Gonzales
I was so excited to hear this movie coming out. It didn't disappoint. My two greatest horror killers of all time battling each other. Love this movie.
Apr 18, 2023
Thematic Analysis
This Horror film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Freddy vs. Jason presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Ronny Yu brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2003, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Freddy vs. Jason took approximately 19 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $30.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 97 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 135 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 1496 individual shots.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 12 months to complete.
- The screenplay went through 6 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
Historical Context
- In 2003, when this film is released:
- Digital technology was disrupting traditional media and entertainment.
- The September 11 attacks changed global security and politics.
- Digital filmmaking technologies were transforming production processes and creating new opportunities.
How This Film Stands Out
While Freddy vs. Jason shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Scanners, which focuses more on action than character development, Freddy vs. Jason offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Dead Ringers and The Hitcher explore similar territory, Freddy vs. Jason stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: August 15, 2003
- Runtime: 1h 37m
- Budget: $30,000,000
- Revenue: $116,643,421
