Friday the 13th: Part 3 is the third entry in the iconic slasher series, directed by Steve Miner, who also directed the previous installment (Friday the 13th: Part 2). The film was released on August 13, 1982, and holds a special place in the franchise for introducing Jason Voorhees’ signature hockey mask, cementing his status as one of horrorโs most recognizable figures.
The film was shot in 3D, capitalizing on the resurgence of 3D films in the early 1980s. This was a major selling point for the movie, and its tagline, โA new dimension in terror,โ emphasized this aspect. The 3D effects influenced many scenes, resulting in deliberate shots of objects flying toward the camera, such as pitchforks, yo-yos, and eyeballs, which became a hallmark of its visual style.
Plot Summary
The events of Part 3 begin shortly after the end of Friday the 13th: Part 2. Jason Voorhees, presumed dead, has survived his injuries and is hiding near Crystal Lake.
Act I: A Weekend Getaway
A group of friends plans a weekend trip to Higgins Haven, a secluded cabin in the woods near Crystal Lake. The group includes:
- Chris Higgins (Dana Kimmell), the protagonist who has returned to face her past trauma.
- Rick (Paul Kratka), Chrisโs love interest.
- Debbie (Tracie Savage) and her boyfriend Andy.
- Shelly (Larry Zerner), a socially awkward prankster.
- Vera (Catherine Parks), Shellyโs reluctant date.
- Chuck and Chili, a stoner couple.
Chris reveals she has a dark history with the area, recalling an unsettling encounter with a deformed man (later revealed to be Jason) years earlier.
Act II: The Killing Begins
As the group settles in, Jason begins stalking the area. Meanwhile, Shellyโs pranks inadvertently lead to a pivotal moment in horror history. He dons a hockey mask as part of a joke, only to be killed by Jason, who then adopts the mask as his new face.
Jason begins eliminating the group in creative and gruesome ways, using weapons such as a harpoon, pitchfork, and machete. The kills are amplified by the 3D effects, with weapons thrust toward the audience.
Act III: The Final Confrontation
Chris becomes the sole survivor and confronts Jason in a tense and violent showdown. She uses her wits and physical strength to evade and attack Jason. In a memorable sequence, Jasonโs unmasked face is revealed, showcasing his grotesque, deformed appearance. Chris manages to hang Jason and leaves him for dead, but he survives and pursues her again. In the final moments, she drives an axe into Jasonโs head, seemingly killing him.
The Ending
In a dreamlike sequence, Chris envisions Jason coming after her again, only to wake up screaming. Police arrive to find her in a hysterical state, and Jasonโs body is nowhere to be found, leaving his fate ambiguous.