Friday the 13th Short Film Sweet Revenge Debuts Online After 16 Years

The shadow of Crystal Lake grows longer as 2025 marks a terrifying milestone—45 years since hockey-masked horror icon Jason Voorhees first stalked screens in Friday the 13th. Tonight, the legendary slasher makes his bloody return in Sweet Revenge (2025), a chilling new short film premiering globally via YouTube and Angry Orchard Hard Cider’s dedicated platform. This 13-minute vignette, produced by franchise rights holder Horror Inc., serves as the centerpiece of the newly launched “Jason Universe”—a multimedia initiative promising games, merchandise, and immersive experiences centered on cinema’s most relentless killer.

What Can Fans Expect from Sweet Revenge (2025)?

Directed by Mike P. Nelson (Wrong Turn reboot), Sweet Revenge plunges viewers into “a chilling weekend in the woods filled with blood-soaked surprises only Jason can deliver,” according to Horror Inc.’s official synopsis. Nelson emphasizes a deliberate return to franchise roots, telling press outlets: “This film is modern, but I aimed to recreate the visceral impact we felt watching the original Friday the 13th.” Stunt performer Schuyler White embodies Jason Voorhees, bringing physical menace to the role, while Ally Ioannides (Into the Badlands) leads the ensemble of campers facing his machete.

The project emerges from a unique collaboration between Horror Inc. and Angry Orchard Hard Cider, featuring exclusive tie-in merchandise alongside the film. Crucially, Sweet Revenge represents the first official Friday the 13th release since the 2009 reboot, ending a 16-year drought for fans. Horror Inc. confirmed the short deliberately incorporates series hallmarks: isolated woodland settings, reckless teens, and inventive kills executed with Jason’s signature brutality.

Expanding the Jason Universe Beyond Crystal Lake

Horror Inc.’s “Jason Universe” announcement signals broader ambitions for the franchise. Beyond Sweet Revenge, multiple projects are confirmed in development:

• Crystal Lake Series: A24 and Peacock’s highly anticipated prequel series, exploring the town’s origins.
• New Feature Film: A theatrical return for Jason is in early development.
• Video Game Revival: An upcoming interactive experience capitalizing on gaming’s horror resurgence.

Industry analysts note the strategic timing coincides with heightened nostalgia for 80s horror properties and the original film’s 45th anniversary. As Universal Studios expands its Halloween Horror Nights attractions and Stranger Things dominates streaming, Horror Inc. aims to cement Jason’s relevance for new generations.

This resurrection proves Jason Voorhees remains an unstoppable force in horror. With Sweet Revenge delivering immediate thrills and ambitious expansions like Crystal Lake on the horizon, fans worldwide have reason to celebrate—and sleep with the lights on. Watch the premiere now, share your reaction using #JasonUniverse, and brace for the next chapter in Camp Blood’s gruesome legacy.

Must Know

Q: Where can I watch Sweet Revenge (2025)?
A: The short film premiered exclusively on the official Jason Universe YouTube channel and Angry Orchard Hard Cider’s promotional platform on August 13th. It remains available for free viewing on YouTube.

Q: Who directed and starred in the Friday the 13th short film?
A: Mike P. Nelson (Wrong Turn 2021) directed Sweet Revenge. It stars Ally Ioannides as the lead protagonist and features stunt performer Schuyler White as Jason Voorhees.

Q: Is Sweet Revenge connected to the upcoming Crystal Lake series?
A: No. Sweet Revenge is a standalone vignette produced by Horror Inc. as part of their “Jason Universe” initiative. The Crystal Lake series, developed by A24/Peacock, is a separate project.

Q: What future Friday the 13th projects are confirmed?
A: Horror Inc. has announced a new feature film, a video game, and the A24/Peacock series Crystal Lake, alongside merchandise and immersive experiences under the “Jason Universe” banner.

Q: Why did Angry Orchard Hard Cider partner with Friday the 13th?
A: The collaboration aligns with Angry Orchard’s “Uncanny” campaign targeting horror fans. Limited-edition cider flavors and themed merchandise were released alongside Sweet Revenge to amplify cross-promotion.