Numerous horror villains thrive on instilling fear in younger audiences, with characters like Pennywise from It, Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Art the Clown from <em>Terrifier 3</em> notorious for targeting children. Yet, many of the iconic horror figures predominantly select teenagers and adults as their victims. For example, until the release of the 2018 film Halloween, Michael Myers had a strict policy of never killing anyone under the age of 13, despite his attempts to eliminate his niece in various sequels. Jason Voorhees, renowned for his unique backstory, typically refrains from harming children, but in Friday the 13th Part 3, he inadvertently breaks this unspoken rule.

Jason Voorhees and His Unique Rules About Victim Selection

Classic slasher films often initiate with a dramatic inciting incident that sets the stage for bloodshed. Movies like Prom Night, Terror Train, The Prowler, and The Burning showcase villains who commit murder as a form of vengeance. <em>Friday the 13th</em> follows suit, beginning with the tragic tale of Pamela Voorhees (Betsy Palmer) avenging her son, who tragically drowned due to the negligence of camp counselors decades earlier. This backstory provides a compelling motive for her violent actions as she seeks justice against those she holds responsible for her son’s death.

However, unbeknownst to many, Jason did not die that day, and it’s likely he witnessed his mother’s demise at the end of the first film. In a quest for revenge, he confronts his mother’s murderer in the opening scene of Friday the 13th Part 2. Afterward, he takes residence at Camp Crystal Lake, prepared to eliminate anyone who dares trespass on his territory. Jason’s attacks on unsuspecting teenagers are fueled by his desire to avenge his mother’s tragic fate, making him a relentless force of vengeance.

Remarkably, Jason has never targeted young children throughout his murderous rampage. In Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, he has an encounter with young Tommy Jarvis (Corey Feldman), and while he does attack Tommy, one can’t help but question his intent. In Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives, he finds himself in a cabin surrounded by sleeping children. In a tense moment, he looms over a frightened little girl but ultimately chooses to walk away. This surprising act of restraint stems from Jason’s recognition of himself in these children; they remind him of his own tragic childhood, as it was not children who harmed him and his mother, but rather careless teenage counselors.

In ‘Friday the 13th Part 3’, Jason Unknowingly Causes a Tragedy

While Friday the 13th Part 3 lacks child characters, it still distinguishes itself for various reasons beyond its campy 3-D effects. The film introduces one of the most memorable final girls, Chris (Dana Kimmell), while also marking the pivotal moment when Jason acquires his iconic mask. Uniquely, this installment is the only one where Jason inadvertently causes the death of an unborn child. This tragic event occurs when Jason is completely unaware of the consequences of his actions, highlighting the inadvertent tragedy woven into the fabric of the slasher genre.

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“Evil dies tonight!”

Debbie, one of the key characters in Friday the 13th Part 3, is portrayed as pregnant with her boyfriend, Andy (Jeffrey Rogers). Their youthful exuberance is evident, yet their impending parenthood doesn’t follow the typical horror trope where the father figure abandons the expectant mother. Instead, Andy is depicted as a loving partner who cherishes Debbie. They share playful moments and flirt, but true to slasher film conventions, their relationship leads to tragic consequences. After engaging in premarital intimacy, Andy falls victim to one of Jason’s most brutal murders, followed closely by Debbie’s own demise when she is brutally stabbed in a hammock, resulting in the loss of her unborn child. This heartbreaking sequence adds a layer of tragedy to the film’s narrative.

In Friday the 13th Part 3, there were alternate narrative paths that could have been explored regarding Debbie’s pregnancy, which might have deepened the emotional stakes of the story. For instance, if her demise had been portrayed in a more poignant manner, audiences could have felt genuine sympathy for her, making her a standout victim. Alternatively, if Jason had learned of her pregnancy, the narrative could have taken a compelling twist where he chooses to spare her, revealing a flicker of humanity in his character. Such a choice would have added depth to Jason Voorhees, often seen merely as a relentless killer, indicating that remnants of humanity exist within him. Unfortunately, the film missed this opportunity, continuing Jason’s rampage without acknowledgment of the one rule he had established regarding children.

Friday the 13th Part III can be streamed on Paramount+ in the United States.

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Release Date

August 13, 1982

Director

Steve Miner

Writers

Martin Kitrosser , Carol Watson