Watch Now: Jason Voorhees Returns in SWEET REVENGE, Plus an Interview with Writer / Director Mike P. Nelson and Star Ally Ioannides

Written and directed by Mike P. Nelson (Silent Night, Deadly Night), Sweet Revenge is a "short-form vignette" featuring Jason Voorhees. Presented by Jason Universe and sponsored by Angry Orchard, the film is around 15 mins (with credits), and is the first live-action Jason we've seen since 2009. Sweet Revenge is sure to spark a lot of discussion, so I was happy to catch up quickly with Nelson and co-star Ally Ioannides learn more about the making of the film. Check out Sweet Revenge first and the scroll below for our spoiler discussion:

Spoiler Warning:

Can you talk about your approach to the mythology of Jason, Crystal Lake, and coming back from the dead?

Mike P. Nelson: What’s fun about these movies is that there are so many different conspiracies as to what actually happened. It's never fully been disclosed how Jason did or didn't come back. I've read the essays and the Reddit channels, and everyone has their own take, which is fun.

Storytellers that get to work [in this world] are going to bring something [that adds to] this lore, and, for me, Jason has always been somebody with such deep-rooted hurt and revenge that he was able to cross back over. For me, [it’s] passing that torch to somebody else who undergoes something like Jason did when he was younger and [they’re] able to come back. 

There's so much that you want to keep mysterious about Jason because if you say too much, suddenly, it doesn't become scary. I’m less interested in over-explaining [Jason], and it’s why I felt that putting somebody like Eve through this situation was far more interesting than seeing Jason go through it. Granted, we didn't have a lot of time to explore it, but I think it was a fun thing to explore and doesn't rewrite any of the mythology. It actively starts to explore what could further happen [at Crystal Lake].

What was the on-set experience like for Ally Ioannides?

Ally Ioannides: Pulling the machete out… I had so much fun doing that. It's such a visceral, intense moment. It's such an important character beat, but being able to pull a machete out of yourself is just not something you think you’ll ever get to do, so I had so much fun. That whole fight scene was such a blast, and… to get to fight Jason was really cool. I remember the boat motor [kill] and after that last sort of plonk on the head, the whole crew was cheering. Everyone was just laughing and clapping. To me, it was so clear that Mike just loved [directing this] and had such a good instinct for it. And, obviously, Becky and Ryan, the special effects people, absolutely killed it. I had a blast being a part of it and then watching the short and seeing the payoff. It’s so good.

Are we going to see this story continue? Is a movie a possibility?

Mike P. Nelson: Ultimately, it's not my call, but it is a story that I would love to continue because I have a lot of ideas. For me, it was always about what we can do with Jason's story without just rewriting it, or saying, “This only connects to Part [x] or whatever.” Let's keep the mythology all intact, but just add another. That's where I get excited: when we start playing around with new characters, and characters going through new things. That's where you get incredible stories. 

Yes, Jason [is doing] all his "Jason" things, but it’s also adding a piece to the story with something fresh that takes us down a path that we weren't expecting. He's more than just a hunk of meat, killing people, and he always has been. He’s been one of these characters that has resonated with people because he was dealt a bad deck. He really got fucked over and he's mad about it. Giving him another character to play off of that's not just an enemy would be a really interesting way to show not only an empathetic side of him, but another thing that would get him to kill more.

Ally, I'm sure you wouldn't say no to coming back.

Ally Ioannides: I certainly wouldn’t [say no]. I feel so honored just to be a part of [it]. Honestly, it still doesn't feel real. I had a blast and it was an incredible project to be a part of. So I would love to play Eve for as long as they'll let me.

[Editor's Note: Interview edited for clarity.]