Friday the 13th

The "Friday the 13th" franchise is an indelible part of the horror genre that has played a significant role in shaping pop culture since its inception in 1980. The series, which focuses on the character of Jason Voorhees, a masked killer who haunts Camp Crystal Lake and its surroundings, helped establish and popularize the 'slasher' subgenre in the 1980s. Its formula, centered around a group of young people in isolated settings being picked off one by one by a relentless killer, has been often replicated but never quite duplicated.

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Jason Voorhees, with his hulking frame and iconic hockey mask, is one of the most recognizable figures in horror. The franchise's defining image of Jason wielding a machete is emblematic of the fear and thrill that slasher films intend to evoke. The popularity of the series resulted in a slew of sequels, a crossover film with fellow horror icon Freddy Krueger from the "Nightmare on Elm Street" franchise, and a 2009 reboot, illustrating the longevity and lasting appeal of the "Friday the 13th" brand.

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Culturally, the "Friday the 13th" franchise has had a substantial impact, both within and outside the realms of cinema. The series, particularly its central antagonist, has permeated various forms of media, from video games and comic books to television series. Jason Voorhees has become a symbol of horror, his mask an instantly identifiable icon associated with the genre. In addition, the franchise's influence on the slasher genre has been profound. Its success inspired a whole generation of filmmakers, and its narrative and stylistic elements have been borrowed, parodied, and paid homage to in countless films and television series over the decades.