Common Sense Media Review
By James Rocchi
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Awful horror remake has gory violence, sex, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Friday the 13th (2009)
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 43 parent reviews
Parents say this movie is filled with excessive gore, violence, and sexual content, making it inappropriate for children and even some teens. While some viewers found it entertaining and praised the horror elements, many expressed concern about its themes and explicit content, leading to a varied opinion on its suitability for younger audiences.
- inappropriate for children
- excessive gore
- sexual content
- mixed reviews
- should be for teens
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 121 kid reviews
Kids say the horror remake of the classic film is filled with excessive violence, sexual content, and strong language, making it unsuitable for younger viewers, with many recommending it for ages 15 and up. While some appreciate the scares and special effects, others criticize the lack of character depth and originality, finding the graphic depictions of nudity and brutality to detract from the overall experience.
- violence overload
- explicit content
- strong language
- unsuitable for kids
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
A remake and reboot of the notorious 1980s horror series, FRIDAY THE 13TH takes place in Camp Crystal Lake years after the young Jason (Caleb Guss) witnessed his mother's murder. As an adult (Derek Mears) he stalks the area around the camp, slaughtering any "outsiders" who stumble across his path. This doesn't bode well for the group of spoiled vacationing kids who meet up with a man named Clay (Jared Padalecki), who's 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?
This reboot is simultaneously disgusting and lacking in imagination. Friday the 13th relies heavily on images of slaughtered, chopped-up human beings and cheap jolts, adding nothing new to a series that started over four decades ago. 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. Since then, films like Scream and Funny Games subverted and breathed new life into the slasher genre, making Friday the 13th feel dated. And sure, special effects are used to make the murders more graphic and realistic, spurting red blood. But the film seems designed solely to make money with its violence, sex, and recycled plotlines. It's almost a shame this film was a modest box office hit; 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?
How does Jason fit damaging stereotypes about mental illness? What are responsible ways to portray issues of mental health, and what kinds of clichés can cause harm to real people struggling with mental illnesses?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 13, 2009
- On DVD or streaming : June 16, 2009
- Cast : Amanda Righetti , Danielle Panabaker , Jared Padalecki
- Director : Marcus Nispel
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Horror
- Run time : 97 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong bloody violence, some graphic sexual content, language and drug material
- Last updated : March 13, 2026
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