Linda Cardellini Leads Peacock's Bold, Bloody 'Friday the 13th' Prequel 'Crystal Lake': TV Review

Almost 50 years since the first show of "Friday the 13th" by Sean S. Cunningham passes. The indie film became a horror classic and helped revolutionize the slasher genre. Numerous sequels and reboots have turned the narrative into a sprawling franchise, but Peacock's series "Crystal Lake" is finally giving Jason Voorhees fans an unprecedented window.

Nearly 50 years since the first show of Sean S. Cunningham's "Friday the 13th" passes. The indie film became a horror classic and helped revolutionize the slasher genre. Several sequels and reboots have turned the narrative into a sprawling franchise, but the Peacock series "Crystal Lake" is finally giving fans an unprecedented window into Jason Voorhees' original story. Crystal Lake, overseen by Ann: Welcome to the Door showrunner Brad Caleb Kane, is the haunting and violent story of Pam Voorhees (Linda Cardellini), who struggles to overcome her grief after her son, Jason (Callum Vinson), drowns. However, when body parts appear in the surrounding woods and mysterious men come to town, it becomes clear that Pam is not quite who she says she is. Thoughtful, albeit long-winded, "Crystal Lake" offers a new take on Jason's terrifying beginnings while honoring the appeal of the classic film. Related stories for AI: Hollywood uses AI tools despite doomsday fears

The eight-part series premieres in 1972, eight years before the events of "Friday the 13th." Pam enjoys her quiet life in Crystal Lake, New Jersey, where she works as a lunch lady for the school and summer camp, Camp Crystal. However, her main role is taking care of her sick son, Jason. Pam does everything she can to make sure Jason has a normal childhood. Still, his frequent seizures and physical differences make him a skeptic among the other children of the town. Grace (Gwendoline Sundstrom), a quiet girl struggling with abuse from her alcoholic mother, is Jason's only friend. Popular in Variety

A tragedy sets up the show. During a seemingly normal day at camp, Jason swims too much and drowns as the other campers and staff look on helplessly. Pam tries to save him, but his body is never found. Nine months later, Pam still hasn't quite found her place. Although most of the locals give the grieving woman a wide berth, police chief Levon Brooks (William Catlett) continues to offer Palm olive branches. But Pam's mood swings and strange happenings around town keep her distracted, especially when her journalist sister Briana (Devin Kessler) begins to connect the disconnected pieces to a larger, long-buried conspiracy.

Set in a rapidly changing mid-1970s, the show gives audiences a glimpse into a society at a crossroads. From hippies to secret racists, psychedelics to cultist workshop leaders, this is a world where any difference is still scrutinized and looked down upon. In addition, viewers are given new insight into Pam, a woman who was severely wounded long before her only child died. She is not the simple lunch lady that the residents of Crystal Lake believe her to be. Instead, he lashes out in horrific ways at those who try to hurt him or anyone he deems innocent.

"Crystal Lake" is creepy and scary, but it's not a horror series. Although it has many wonderful moments, it works more as a psychological thriller, focusing on the anger of women and the dangers of patriarchy. Episode 7, "Friday...", the best of the bunch, fully fleshes out Pam's past. Set in 1959, this episode combines the lie of female hysteria, misogyny, Cold War fears and pharmaceutical greed into one big episode.

While "Crystal Lake" adds depth and texture to the popular story, the show moves slowly, taking away much of the suspense and surprise that can make slashers so exciting. Overall, with excellent performances from Cardellini - and Catlett as the man trying not to tear the town (and Pam) apart - "Crystal Lake" is a brilliantly detailed introduction to a bloody and terrifying story.

All eight episodes of "Crystal Lake" will premiere on Oct. 15 at the Peacock.