Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985)

Still haunted by his past, Tommy Jarvis - who, as a child, killed Jason Voorhees - wonders if the serial killer is connected to a series of brutal murders occurring in and around the secluded halfway house where he now lives.

Director:

Danny Steinmann

Writers:

Martin Kitrosser (story by), David Cohen (story by)

Stars:

Melanie Kinnaman, John Shepherd, Anthony Barrile

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anthony Barrile	...	Vinnie
Suzanne Bateman	...	Nurse Yates / Receptionist
Dominick Brascia	...	Joey
Todd Bryant	...	Neil
Curtis Conaway	...	Les
Juliette Cummins	...	Robin
Bob DeSimone	...	Billy / Male Nurse (as Bob De Simone)
John Robert Dixon	...	Eddie
Corey Feldman	...	Tommy at 12
Jere Fields	...	Anita (as Jeré Fields)
Tiffany Helm	...	Violet
Melanie Kinnaman	...	Pam
Richard Lineback	...	Deputy Dodd
Carol Locatell	...	Ethel
Ric Mancini	...	Mayor Cobb

Storyline

Five years after killing the goalie hockey-masked killer Jason Voorhees, Tommy Jarvis has grown up in various mental hospitals unable to get over the nightmares about Jason's return. When Tommy is sent to a rural halfway house in New Jersey for mentally disturbed teenagers, a series of grisly murders begin anew as another hockey-masked killer begins killing off all people at and around the residence. Has Jason returned from the dead to re-start his killing spree? Has Tommy decided to take over the reign of Jason, or has someone else?

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Plot Keywords:

jason voorhees character | sadistic killer | deeply disturbed person | psychopathic murderer | child in jeopardy | 

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Taglines:

A New Beginning to the first step in terror

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985) was cast under a fake title, Repetition, and many of the actors in the film were not aware it was a Friday the 13th installment until after they were cast in their roles. Among the unaware cast was lead actor John Shepherd, who spent several months volunteering at a state mental hospital to prepare for the role, and that he felt "really disappointed" to discover that Repetition was actually the fifth entry in the Friday the 13th series. Actor Dick Wieand stated that "It wasn't until I saw Part V that I realized what a piece of trash it was. I mean, I knew the series' reputation, but you're always hoping that yours is going to come out better", and director Danny Steinmann stated that he "shot a porno in the woods there. You wouldn't believe the nudity they cut out."

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Goofs

(at around 1h 16 mins) As Jason approaches the smashed barn door, some of the wooden planks in the left side of the door disappear between shots.

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Quotes

Pete: Alright, either you got the car started for you're a dead man.
[while humming a tune, he tries to start the car]
Pete: It ain't starting, man. You fucked up again. It ain't startin'. I'm gonna kick your ass... Kick your ass. Come on now. Come on now, everybody... It ain't starting. Come on, motherfucker... Fix the fucking car! You fucked up again, you asshole... Hey what you doing out there Vinnie?
[the car finally starts]
Pete: Whoo! Alright, and we're off! Let's go!
[...]

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Alternate Versions

The alternate "Version 2" includes the original version of Les's murder (in Tommy's dream). It was cut and replaced with a closeup in the R-rated version.

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Connections

Featured in The Kill Count: Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986) (2017)

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Soundtracks

His Eyes
Written by Brian Canham (as B. Canham) and T. Lugton
Performed by Pseudo Echo

User Reviews

Not as bad as its reputation.

There are a few "Friday" fans out there that can actually enjoy this film for what it is instead of complaining about what it's not.

Yes, the plot is a big departure from the previous films, but once you get over it, it's a pretty fun '80s slasher film with plenty of creative kills and some great chase sequences.

The acting is surprisingly solid for a series' fifth entry as well. I really never understood the complaints about the acting in these films, as to me it's always been passable and certainly above most of the slasher rip-offs the decade was littered with.

This time, the action takes place at a halfway house in the sticks where Tommy Jarvis, survivor of the previous bloodbath, comes to stay after an undetermined amount of time in a mental hospital. But Tommy can't seem to catch a break, as the bodies of the troubled kids soon begin piling up after his arrival. Is it Jason? Tommy? One of the locals who has a grudge against the disturbed kids? I won't spoil that here.

This film has the highest body count in the series, with barely enough time to breathe before the next murder is set up. Thankfully, the series retains its creative flair when it comes to dispatching the victims. Some highlights include a head crushed against a tree with a leather strap, a road flare being improperly used, and a death in an outhouse. There's also a nice moment you can only get in '80s horror involving a girl doing the Robot dance in her bedroom to Pseudo Echo's catchy song "His Eyes." Terrific.

If there's anything that sets this sequel apart from its brothers and sisters, it's the overall tone of the film, which is much darker this time around. This can be good or bad, depending on what you prefer: a fun slasher sequel like part 3, this is not.

The final 20 minutes really get the action going as well. Fans of nudity will also rejoice, as this has the most pair of breasts shown in a "Friday the 13th" film to date.

I found this better than part four, which I realize puts me on a chopping block with other fans. But I call it like I see it.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 March 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Repetition

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,200,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,032,883, 24 March 1985

Gross USA:

$21,930,418

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$21,930,418

Company Credits

Production Co:

Georgetown Productions Inc., Paramount Pictures, Sean S. Cunningham Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono Dolby (DVD re-release)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1