Why the Crystal Lake teaser trailer has us excited for the Friday the 13th prequel

It's been a very long time since Friday the 13th fans have seen any new content. The last time Jason appeared on the big screen was in 2009, for the series reboot/remake. Lawsuits and copyright issues have essentially halted any new films or various other forms of media.

Last year, the Jason Universe released a short film titled Sweet Revenge that teased Jason's return, but it was also a commercial for Angry Orchard Hard Cider, not really a proper return to form. So, to say fans are hungry for anything Friday the 13th-related is probably an understatement at this point.

This week, Peacock and A24 dropped the teaser trailer for Crystal Lake, the prequel series that stars Linda Cardellini as Pamela Voorhees, the vengeful mother who murders Crystal Lake camp counselors in the initial 1980 movie because her son drowned. Though the teaser is only 50 seconds long, here's why it has us excited about Crystal Lake, which streams on Peacock beginning October 15.

Crystal Lake's setting will play a major role

Though Camp Crystal Lake is the setting for nearly every Friday the 13th movie, it's fairly underutilized. In fact, there's only one sequel, Friday the 13th Part 6: Jason Lives, that actually shows camp in session, with children and counselors that do their best to protect them. In every other film, the counselors are either preparing for the season or simply partying. The campground is mostly background.

That's not the case with Crystal Lake, judging from the teaser. There are campfire songs, games, and more. There's also a tease of the moment when Jason drowns and his mother can't save him. Unlike nearly every other Friday the 13th property, the prequel series promises to actually use the campground setting.

Crystal Lake will hopefully give Pamela Voorhees depth and range

For the prequel to work, the Pamela Voorhees arc needs to be handled well. That appears to be the case from what we've seen so far. Cardellini has proved her acting chops time and time again, going all the way back to Freaks and Geeks. However, she's never quite carried a series and starred as the lead. However, the sequences of her in the trailer look great, ranging from a concerned mom, doing her best to care for her disabled son, to a moment when she's utterly soaked in blood, after likely going on a killing spree.

This series won't work if Pamela is a poorly written character. In the trailer, Pamela is front and center, featured in nearly every sequence shown. Additionally, it'll be exciting to finally explore Pamela's arc. We only see her for a few minutes in that first film, and by that time, she's bloodthirsty. Yet, the prequel will explore how she gave up her dreams to be a singer to care for Jason and then how she reacts once he drowns.

In a recent interview with Deadline, Cardellini teased what's in store for the character, stating, "She's important to the series, but sort of unexplored." She added, "So I thought that would be really, really fun, to do something I've never done." The actress also said that showrunner Brad Caleb Kane "sort of made this mixtape of all the things that we would love to see happen for her. It goes all over the place for her character and it's really fun."

It's especially interesting that Cardellini mentioned how the character "goes all over the place," meaning the actress is likely to portray quite an emotional range. Color us intrigued.

Crystal Lake could mean a movie is next

If Crystal Lake is a success and the powers that be are pleased with the streaming numbers, it seems likely a movie will happen, and it would mark the 13th in the franchise. After all, we just received news this week that Paramount acquired the U.S. rights to A Nightmare on Elm Street and a movie is in the works, so it seems likely that Jason will eventually hack and slash teens on the big screen again. Otherwise, all of this would feel like a waste.

Regardless, after so many years without any new Friday the 13th content, at least we're getting this prequel series. The trailer teases a bloody good time. Check it out below.

Every episode of Crystal Lake will stream on Peacock beginning October 15.