For the first time in over a decade, Jason Voorhees has returned in an official on-screen capacity. The Friday the 13th legend makes his long-awaited comeback in Sweet Revenge, a 13-minute short film released tonight by the newly formed Jason Universe team.
Billed as a “vignette,” Sweet Revenge serves as both a cinematic introduction to the Jason Universe brand and the debut of a fresh redesign for the iconic hockey-masked killer. The short also ties into a Halloween-season partnership with Angry Orchard Hard Cider, which will see limited-edition Jason Universe–branded bottles, cans, and special “Thriller Pack” 12-packs arrive in stores this autumn.
While the Angry Orchard sponsorship had some fans bracing for a glorified ad, the end result is closer to a standalone slasher mini-movie. The product placement is surprisingly minimal, allowing the focus to remain firmly on Jason himself. And this isn’t just another fan-made homage — Sweet Revenge comes directly from the official rights holders, making it Jason’s first legitimate screen appearance since the 2009 Friday the 13th remake.
The short is directed by Mike P. Nelson (Silent Night, Deadly Night) and features actor-stuntman Schuyler White stepping into the role of Jason. The new design for the character has already drawn positive buzz online, with fans noting the updated details in the mask, costume, and physicality.
Sweet Revenge arrives at a time when the franchise is finally free from the lengthy legal battles that kept Jason off-screen for years. This short film may be an unconventional way to bring him back, but it’s just the beginning. Jason will soon return in a much bigger way with A24 and Peacock’s Crystal Lake, a prequel series to the original 1980 classic that is currently filming.
For now, Sweet Revenge offers fans a taste of what’s to come — a brutal reminder that Jason Voorhees is far from finished.
