On this day May 13, 1988, Friday the 13th Part VII The New Blood was released in theaters, bringing Jason Voorhees back to the big screen for the seventh installment of the iconic horror franchise. Directed by special effects artist John Carl Buechler, the film starred Lar Park Lincoln, Terry Kiser, Kevin Blair and Kane Hodder in his first appearance as Jason.
This chapter introduced a supernatural twist by pitting Jason against Tina Shepard, a teenager with telekinetic powers. The battle between Tina and the unstoppable killer gave the franchise a new dynamic, blending slasher horror with a touch of science fiction. Although it received mixed reviews, the film was a hit at the box office, earning 19.1 million dollars on a budget of just 2.8 million.
Friday the 13th Part VII also marked a major turning point for the series as Kane Hodder’s performance and physicality helped redefine Jason’s menacing presence. His portrayal would go on to become a fan favorite across multiple sequels.
Fun fact: Kane Hodder played Jason Voorhees for the first time in this film and continued the role in three more entries, becoming the definitive Jason for many fans.
This chapter introduced a supernatural twist by pitting Jason against Tina Shepard, a teenager with telekinetic powers. The battle between Tina and the unstoppable killer gave the franchise a new dynamic, blending slasher horror with a touch of science fiction. Although it received mixed reviews, the film was a hit at the box office, earning 19.1 million dollars on a budget of just 2.8 million.
Friday the 13th Part VII also marked a major turning point for the series as Kane Hodder’s performance and physicality helped redefine Jason’s menacing presence. His portrayal would go on to become a fan favorite across multiple sequels.
Fun fact: Kane Hodder played Jason Voorhees for the first time in this film and continued the role in three more entries, becoming the definitive Jason for many fans.
