Jason Voorhees is represented as the mentally challenged antagonist from the Friday the 13th franchise who has become a mass murderer. He wears a dirty, torn jacket and hockey mask to conceal his identity and wields a machete as a weapon. Through his clothing, mask, and choice of weapon, Jason taps into the fear factor by appearing as a calculated, mysterious killer hiding in the dark and isolated outdoors, ready to attack.

1. How is Jason represented and how does it tap into the ‘fear
factor’?
ANTAGONIST: JASON VOORHEES

2. BACKGROUND ON JASON VOORHEES
Jason Voorhees is the ‘slasher’ antagonist
from the ‘Friday the 13th’ franchise. He did
not appear to be the main antagonist in the
original ‘Friday the 13th’ (1980), however
became the main antagonist over time. He
was represented as a mentally challenged
child, before becoming a mass murderer.
His mother, Mrs. Voorhees, was also a mass
murderer, which is where Jason gets his
characteristics from. Jason is known for his
hockey mask and his machete, that he uses
in his attacks.

3. Mise en Scene analysis:
 The jacket he is wearing is dirty & torn.
This shows his financial shortage and
therefore his cultural difference. Cohen
stated that an antagonists rage is driven
by ‘cultural, political, racial, economic &
sexual’ issues. Here the economic issue
makes him a cultural outsider.
 The machete is made obvious in this shot,
as it is an essential prop for the
antagonist. The danger of the weapon is
highlighted by how Jason holds the
weapon to the side of him, as if he is ready
to swing and attack.
 The mask is signature again. It is made up
of faded white and red colours, with holes
for breathing. The faded white could be a
representation of his fading mental health,
as white connotes purity. The red in
certain areas reflects this too as red
connotes blood. The lack of any facial
features seen keeps the murderer
mysterious.

4. Mise en Scene analysis (continued):
 He is wearing gloves in this photograph
also. These black leather gloves suggest
that he is hiding any detail of himself. This
makes him seem calculated and
experienced in murder.
 We can comment on the lighting. Here,
Voorhees is pictured in the dark, a
common fear within modern society.
Commonly with slashers, all killers are
picture at night and so this encodes the
sub-genre also.
 Common fears are also associate with
Jason Voorhees here, such as the fear of
extreme weather (in this case rain) and
isolation.
 Finally, the long shot of Voorhees can
make him seem powerful, as he takes up
the majority of the picture.