This blog post explores the cartoon spoof 'Jason Goes To Hell' by Watchwaddle, a comedic take on the ninth Friday the 13th movie. It covers the spoof's creation, plot highlights, character parodies, and its connection to the official documentary, delivering an entertaining and detailed overview of this unique horror-comedy blend.
In 2021, at a New Jersey chiller convention, the creators at Watchwaddle met Adam Marcus, the director of the ninth Friday the 13th movie, Jason Goes To Hell. After sharing their previous Jason Voorhees spoofs, including parodies of Jason Takes Manhattan and monster serial auditions, they revealed they were working on a spoof of Jason Goes To Hell itself. Marcus was enthusiastic about their work and mentioned a documentary about his film was in the making. Four years later, coinciding with the documentary's Blu-ray release, Watchwaddle released their parody on their channel.
This blog post delves into the spoof, highlighting its comedic elements, plot, and characters, providing fans and newcomers alike with an engaging overview.
The spoof begins traditionally at the infamous Camp Crystal Lake, where a storyteller prepares to share a scary tale about the legendary Jason Voorhees. Various humorous rumors about Jason's history are exchanged:
The story focuses on Jason's "final attack," humorously described as the second of three final attacks, when Jason "goes to H E double hockey stick."
Jason returns from his Manhattan massacre to wreak havoc back at his original territory. The spoof pokes fun at logistical details, such as how Jason and others got back to New Jersey via the George Washington Bridge, complete with a joke about the toll cost.
Inside a quaint cabin, an unsuspecting damsel is introduced, only to be immediately attacked, leading to a chaotic firefight. Despite efforts to stop him, Jason's remains are taken to a local morgue, where his still-beating heart allows him to return, parodying the horror trope of the unstoppable villain.
A breaking news segment reports several campers found dead in the woods, suspected to be Jason's doing despite his recent demise. The spoof introduces Kraton Duck, a local Jason expert and a humorous nod to the franchise's character Tommy Jarvis, who explains that Jason being "destroyed indefinitely" is merely a minor inconvenience, comparing it to various absurd injuries and dismissing them as flesh wounds.
A character from the Friday the 13th TV show (yes, that existed) investigates Jason's return by searching the Vorhees house for evidence. The house is humorously described as ten times bigger than the one in Haddonfield (a reference to Halloween). The investigator discovers Jason had a sister, whose body he steals from the morgue and hides in the basement.
The plot thickens with the revelation that the beaches are open despite a great white shark in the water, and a containment unit is shut down due to personal dislike of the workers, setting up future chaos.
Officer Randy is introduced, engaging in a comedic exchange about arresting someone for being a suspect in a horror film, escalating into a playful weapons showdown involving a gun, knife, slingshot, lawn dart, Nintendo Zapper, and SNES Super Scope, with a jab at the infamous Power Glove.
Jessica, the story's final girl, enters with a special secret: she is Jason's niece. The spoof humorously questions her qualifications as the final girl, asking if she has telekinesis or if her younger brother is one of the Corys (a nod to The Lost Boys). Jessica confirms her identity, leading to confusion about the plot.
Jessica reveals that Jason is body-swapping from person to person, seeking rebirth. The only way to stop him is by destroying his heart. However, this information comes at a price, leading to a humorous back-and-forth about paying for plot details.
The group races to find Jessica as Jason approaches. The others are told to get away, with a sarcastic remark about being a "disgusting ray of sunshine."
The climax takes place back at the Vorhees house, where the team prepares to stop Jason and send him to "H double hockey stick" forever. The spoof includes witty dialogue about the plan's effectiveness and Jason's potential parole aboard a spaceship.
A surprise twist reveals Jason can talk when disguised as Randy, leading to chaos in the basement involving the Necromonicon, a magical book from the Evil Dead series, blending horror universes.
Jessica uses the power of Grey Skull (a playful reference to He-Man) to pull Jason down below, seemingly ending his reign of terror.
Just when it seems the story concludes, a final surprise hints that Jason is not done yet, setting up for more mayhem and laughs.
Watchwaddle's Jason Goes To Hell spoof is a clever and entertaining parody that pays homage to the Friday the 13th franchise while injecting humor and absurdity. It captures the spirit of the original films and the fandom surrounding them, making it a must-watch for horror fans and comedy lovers alike.
The spoof's connection to the documentary Hearts of Darkness: The Making of the Final Friday adds an extra layer of appreciation, bridging the gap between fan creativity and official franchise history.
Whether you're a die-hard Jason Voorhees fan or new to the series, this cartoon spoof offers a fun and engaging experience that celebrates the enduring legacy of the Final Friday.
