
Want more recommendations for your family?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration
Friday the 13th (2009)
By James Rocchi,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Horror remake isn't for anyone, let alone teens.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Friday the 13th (2009)
Community Reviews
Based on 46 parent reviews
To much sex,cussing and gore
Report this review
Report this review
What's the Story?
A remake and re-launch of the notorious '80s horror series, FRIDAY THE 13th takes place years after a camping accident that saw a young boy drown -- and his mother murder the counselors who failed to watch him. But the boy actually lived and now stalks the area around the camp, slaughtering any "outsiders" who stumble across his path. Which doesn't bode well for the group of spoiled vacationing kids who meet up with a man (Jared Padalecki) desperately seeking his missing sister. ... Soon the whole gang is being stalked, picked off, and killed by the murderous, masked Jason.
Is It Any Good?
Friday the 13th is simultaneously disgusting and tiresome. Disgusting because it relies so heavily on images of slaughtered, chopped-up human beings and cheap jolts; tiresome because it's literally more of the same, returning to a film series that's already had more than a dozen sequels and spin-offs since 1980. Sure, there's a certain sick thrill in watching Jason in those earlier films -- when the idea of the silent, masked killer as unrelenting as death itself had some novelty -- but now it's just a cynical retread of a familiar idea. Modern films like Scream mock slasher conventions while delivering them, while those like Funny Games use the horror genre to play wicked mind games. Friday the 13th just offers more of the same.
Also damaging Friday the 13th is the fierce lack of any sense of invention in the storytelling or plot -- instead, we get advances in special effects that make death-by-arrow and machete-induced throat-cutting more "lifelike." Friday the 13th spurts blood red, but it's designed to earn green money with violence, sex, and recycled plotlines. A horror film should be tough, but not cynical; Friday the 13th is weary, greedy, and contemptuous of its audience.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the appeal of "slasher" films like the Friday the 13th series. Why are they so popular (and profitable)?
What draws us to scary, violent movies? What's the impact of seeing so many violent acts?
Why do you think these films feel the need to equate sexuality with violence?
Why would a studio remake a film as trivial and empty as the original, anyway?
Movie Details
- In theaters: February 13, 2009
- On DVD or streaming: June 16, 2009
- Cast: Amanda Righetti , Danielle Panabaker , Jared Padalecki
- Director: Marcus Nispel
- Studio: Warner Bros.
- Genre: Horror
- Run time: 97 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: strong bloody violence, some graphic sexual content, language and drug material
- Last updated: August 21, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Best Horror Movies
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate