Jason Voorhees Returns (And We Have A Beer Company To Thank)

It’s been a long, quiet stretch for fans of everyone’s favorite hockey-masked killer. For nearly two decades, Jason Voorhees has been largely absent from the big screen, leaving a gaping, machete-shaped hole in our horror-loving hearts. While he’s made cameos in a few video games and fan films, the last time we saw him officially slaughtering teens in a live-action production was back in 2009. But the wait is finally over, and the return of Jason is thanks to a truly unexpected hero: a beer company.

Sweet Revenge: A Classic Slasher Short

On August 13, the 15-minute short film “Sweet Revenge” dropped on YouTube, much to the delight of horror enthusiasts. It’s a classic setup: a few couples head to a cozy cabin by a lake, only to find themselves stalked by a relentless, masked killer. The short hits all the familiar Friday the 13th tropes—creepy warnings from locals, strange noises in the woods, and that all-too-familiar moment when someone can’t escape because they forgot the car keys.

As a longtime fan of the franchise, I was really impressed. Despite its short runtime, “Sweet Revenge” nails the classic slasher feel. The tension builds effectively, and the new look for Jason, while a bit leaner than some fans might prefer, feels fresh and menacing. The kills are also incredibly gory—so much so that YouTube won’t allow the full film to be embedded on some sites, so you’ll have to head over there to watch it.

An Unexpected Partnership

So, how did a new official Jason Voorhees project come to be? Believe it or not, “Sweet Revenge” was funded by the cider company Angry Orchard. The short is full of clever, subtle product placement. You’ll spot apples and bottles of Angry Orchard scattered throughout the scenes, but according to writer and director Mike P. Nelson, the company was a fantastic partner that didn’t force them into blatant, obvious advertising. Instead, the apples become part of the horror itself, leading to one particularly brutal kill.

The Future of Jason and the “Jason Universe”
The ending of “Sweet Revenge” leaves the door wide open for more. And director Mike P. Nelson is ready to walk through it. He told Variety he has a clear idea of where he’d like the story to go and would jump at the chance to make it a reality.

This short film and the buzz it’s created have ignited a lot of excitement for the future of the franchise. With the franchise’s owners already planning a full “Jason Universe” initiative, this could be the start of a whole new era for our favorite Camp Crystal Lake slasher. Let’s just hope fans don’t have to wait another 16 years to see what happens next.

What did you think of Jason’s new look and the short film? Let me know in the comments!