Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fourth franchise offering has same violence, language, sex.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Friday the 13th Part IV: The Final Chapter
What's the Story?
In FRIDAY THE 13TH PART IV: THE FINAL CHAPTER, the story continues shortly after the events of the previous film, with the body of Jason Voorhees (Ted White) taken to the morgue, alongside his many victims. When he appears to suddenly revive, a new group of teens staying down at Crystal Lake are stalked and slashed in his search for vengeance. But can anyone make this monster truly die?
Is It Any Good?
Four movies in, this Jason saga is comfortable in its formula, moving from one brutal killing to the next, without too much faffing around with character growth or original story in between. Friday the 13th Part IV: The Final Chapter suggests an ending, purely through its title, yet we know it's by far the last film in the franchise. It does break the mold slightly with a new character dynamic, introducing pre-teen Tommy (Corey Feldman), a smart kid who goes on to star in subsequent sequels, tipping the balance on the "final girl" genre convention along the way. Moments of humor also land a little more solidly here (not every time), though the sexism is still rife and likely jarring for modern viewers. There's nothing groundbreaking, but many agree it does (slightly) raise the bar on the previous two sequels at least.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the franchise conventions used in Friday the 13th Part IV: The Final Chapter. If you've seen previous Friday the 13th movies, what aspects of plot, character, and setting did you notice repeated here? What are common themes seen in the slasher genre?
The movie portrayed frequent violence and lots of death. Did you think it was warranted and added to the enjoyment of the film? How did it compare to more modern horrors?
Discuss the portrayal of women in the movie. Can you think of moments of sexism? How did they reflect the time the film was made and also the conventions of the genre? Why are negative on-screen stereotypes damaging?
How did the film portray sex? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Talk about some of the language used. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 13, 1984
- On DVD or streaming : October 17, 2000
- Cast : Kimberly Beck , Corey Feldman , Erich Anderson
- Director : Joseph Zito
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Run time : 91 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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