*THERE WILL BE SPOILERS*
In 2017, Vincente DiSanti and Womp Stomp Films changed the way fan films were seen. With their release of Never Hike Alone, they established a strong iconic take on Jason Voorhees that has been dubbed 'Ghost Jason'. And it successfully showed that a found footage take on the franchise could work. They understood everything perfectly on what works and can work within the franchise. With its closing moments, I was ready for more.
This last December, the next chapter in this saga was released - Never Hike In The Snow. It safely placed itself three months before the previous entry. For me, I was unsure of how that would work. I wanted to know more of what was to happen after Never Hike Alone's ending.
But Vincente DiSanti and Womp Stomp Films happily showed me that it was okay to be wrong and to be patient.
The film opens with Mark Hill (Courtlan Gordon) fleeing from Jason. This sequence is very iconic as we witness Jason in a new environment - the snow. It quickly establishes the tense breakneck pace. Jason's weapons of choice being the bow and arrow and an axe. I was excited to see Jason standing with the bow and arrow while snow fell slowly around him.
Suffice to say, Mark's attempt to escape fails. While this may feel like a small ending, it's actually the beginning of the film. Quickly we are reintroduced to now Sheriff Rick (Vincent Guastaferro) from Jason Lives. He is quickly trying to close the case and cover up what happened. The question I kept asking myself is Why? Why is he trying so hard to keep any information regarding Jason secret? I'm hoping that in a next installment it's something that may be answered.
Sheriff Rick and his deputy (I think it's his deputy) encounter Tommy Jarvis (Thom Matthews). He's been trying to do whatever it takes to get back to the campgrounds. Tommy knows what's going and still trying to end Jason.
Sheriff Rick takes Tommy back to the station and goes to inform Diana Hill of her son's disappearance. After going through Mark's things, Rick informs her that he will keep looking and if she hears anything to get hold of him directly.
What is going on with him? Why is he acting very suspicious? These are questions that after this rewatch that continue to be asked.
Finally, the Deputy is working to close up the crime scene. He gets a glimpse of something and goes to investigate. This sequence is another highlight for me. The way that the body cam is used to cause so much tension, it's fantastic. It kept me on edge the entire time.
There is another great bit of lore that we uncover in this film regarding Jason and his mother. Vincente brilliantly crafted a sequence where we are given a glimpse into Jason's mindset. And it's there we are able to see Pamela and the little boy from the end of the first film. It's a very powerful moving moment.
The pacing in the film is great. It never feels like it stutters or stalls. Everything is used for a reason. What those reasons may be? Who knows? May find out in another installment. But it all works together beautifully to create an Act 1 now to Never Hike Alone's Act 2 feeling.
There is some gore on display. It's never too much and used pretty tastefully. But it's never too in your face with anything. There was a moment where I did find myself cheering. I'll let you guys figure out what it was when you watch it.
The music. When we think of this franchise, the music is very prominent. It helps establish the tone and feeling. Here, it's been elevated to another level entirely. The first time I heard Ki-Ki-Ki Ma-Ma-Ma it left me with my jaw dropped. It's a character unto itself. Almost an extension of Jason himself with its brutality.
Overall, I love this film. It took what was established in Never Hike Alone and raises the bar more. It never outstayed it's welcome. And the best part is it left me wanting more. The bits of lore that are established are all welcome additions to this franchise.
It's sad that while we may never get another theatrical film for a while. But it's okay because Womp Stomp have shown us that fans can create great content too. To the extent where some will consider them to be official additions to this franchise. I cannot wait to see what they do next with this franchise.
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