Friday the 13th Part VII - The New Blood (1988)

24% of critics liked it
(17 reviews)
50% of users liked it
(58,416 ratings)

Directed by makeup effects artist John Carl Buechler, the seventh in the long-running, grisly horror series was far from the last, although the climactic fate of its antagonist would seem to suggest a final send-off. Lar Park Lincoln stars as Tina Shepard, a teenager with uncontrolled telekinetic… More Directed by makeup effects artist John Carl Buechler, the seventh in the long-running, grisly horror series was far from the last, although the climactic fate of its antagonist would seem to suggest a final send-off. Lar Park Lincoln stars as Tina Shepard, a teenager with uncontrolled telekinetic powers. As a girl vacationing at Camp Crystal Lake, Tina killed her abusive father with the use of her mental abilities. Years later, seeking intensive counseling from manipulative, greedy psychologist Dr. Crews (Terry Kiser), Tina agrees to participate in a radical therapy that takes her back to Camp Crystal Lake. Unfortunately, Tina's psychic skills rouse the slumbering Jason Voorhees (Kane Hodder) from his watery grave and, in typically bloody fashion, the vengeful spook begins dispatching the randy teenagers partying in a house nearby. As Tina attempts to stop Jason's slaughter with the use of her powers, the mass-murdering ghoul encounters his toughest opponent yet. Friday the 13th, Part VII: The New Blood was often referred to by series fans as "Jason vs. Carrie," an apropos reference to Tina's strong similarity to the main character in the horror classic Carrie (1976). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: John Carl Buechler
Written By: Daryl Haney, Manuel Fidello
Genres: Horror

In Theaters: May 13, 1988 Wide
On DVD: Sep 3, 2002
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Critic Reviews

Steve "Uncle Creepy" Barton, Dread Central
This new cleaner-looking version of The New Blood is miles ahead of what fans had access to previously on DVD
Steve Biodrowski, Cinefantastique
You cannot really take the results seriously, but they are fun, offering both...something never really shown in a
Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is
A more supernatural turn for the series.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
By this seventh entry in the series, being different just for the sake of it really is justification enough.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
The anxieties suffered by Tina throughout the film are well thought-out by the franchise's typically one-dimensional standards.
Joe Utichi, FilmFocus
Does this even appeal to the hardcore Jason fans? I doubt it.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Sort of Jason meets Carrie outing that's about on par with the rest of the silly series.
Eric D. Snider, EricDSnider.com
Goodness knows the writer, director and actors didn't expend much effort. We won't bother mentioning that the acting and dialogue are atrocious, like they always are.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
The only thing that needs new blood injected into it is this franchise
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
turns out to be all swing and no follow-through, essentially wasting an interesting premise on tepid writing, bad acting, silly characters, and mediocre direction
Scott Weinberg, Apollo Guide
When a hardcore Friday the 13th fan tells you that a particular entry is a piece of junk, you should probably listen.

Read all 11 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Tim S

Jason VS. Carrie - that would make a good alternate title for this entry. This time around in Friday the 13th Part 7: The New Blood, Jason has to contend not only with his usual victims, but a young woman with psychokinetic powers. Originally this film was written to be the… More
Jason VS. Carrie - that would make a good alternate title for this entry. This time around in Friday the 13th Part 7: The New Blood, Jason has to contend not only with his usual victims, but a young woman with psychokinetic powers. Originally this film was written to be the long-awaited Jason VS. Freddy film, but when New Line Cinema and Paramount couldn't reach an agreement about the character rights, it was re-written to accomodate the VS storyline with a different character. Noted to death by the MPAA, Part 7 is really sparse as far as blood and gore go (probably the least amount of the entire series). The heroine of the film is also, character-wise, unwatchable. She is a constant cry baby throughout the entire film because her father was killed when she was very young. Most of the time she just comes off as annoying, and the story suffers for it. As for the other aspects of the film, they're all pretty much mediocre. Nothing new and nothing spectacular, especially as heavily-edited as the film is (which really destroyed its chances anyway). It has some fun moments, but overall, it's nowhere near as impressive as the previous entry. Fans tend to rally around the film because it marked the first appearance of Kane Hodder as Jason. Although he does give Jason a lot more strength and menace than any of the other actors who played him before, the overall quality of the film itself leaves much to be desired. It's definitely not a highlight of the series for me, and it's also the beginning of what I consider to be eventual downfall of the quality of the series.
Coxxie M

oh ok. yea this might have a local crazy in it, but i think hes a just an old guy working the graveyard who probably saw the Grateful Dead back when they were called the Warlocks, and he discovers Jason's empty grave, and then BAM!, grave aint empty no more. then the opening… More
oh ok. yea this might have a local crazy in it, but i think hes a just an old guy working the graveyard who probably saw the Grateful Dead back when they were called the Warlocks, and he discovers Jason's empty grave, and then BAM!, grave aint empty no more. then the opening credits roll and shit gets a whole lot worse.
Conner R

Jason vs. Carrie basically. While this is the 7th movie in the series, in many ways it's the birth of the Jason we all know and love. Kane Hodder will always be the one who made the character a full blown superstar; his acting ability under the suit is incredible. No one hacks,… More
Jason vs. Carrie basically. While this is the 7th movie in the series, in many ways it's the birth of the Jason we all know and love. Kane Hodder will always be the one who made the character a full blown superstar; his acting ability under the suit is incredible. No one hacks, crushes and maims like him. This movie is super corny, but I really like that aspect. It's a lot of why the series is so lovable, you really have fun watching them. This has some of the most classic deaths, including the sleeping bag trick and eyeball party favors.
jd c

The New Blood wasn't that good. Lousy acting and lousy story line. Bloody, but not too bloody. Part 7 felt more like a waste of time. But, it still manages to be slightly entertaining.
Jeff "

In this seventh Friday installment, the screenwriters basically copied the Carrie White approach to the story. A girl name Tina Sheppard has telekinetic powers awakens Jason and begins yet another series of grisly murders. Of all the Friday films, this one of the weaker ones, but is… More
In this seventh Friday installment, the screenwriters basically copied the Carrie White approach to the story. A girl name Tina Sheppard has telekinetic powers awakens Jason and begins yet another series of grisly murders. Of all the Friday films, this one of the weaker ones, but is still enjoyable due to its sometimes slapstick death scenes. The film also suffered from amateurish acting, even by Friday standards, not since part 5 has a film suffered this way. As the Friday The 13th film series progressed, it seemed that the screenwriters where scrambling to find new and "improved" ways to unleash Jason unto oversexed teens. The result? The New Blood, a supernatural entry in the series that relies more on special effects than anything, also like I said previously, the kills are Slapstick at best equaled only by Amateurish actors who seem to struggle to hard. Still for all it's faults, I still enjoyed this film, but if you're looking for a good Friday film to watch, leave this one for last.
Anthony L

Not the worst Friday the 13th but really not the best. I found Jason in the second film more scary than Kane Hodder?s, he has lost that clumsiness that makes him human and more real, now he is just like Hulk Hogan in a mask. Savani does good as always but can't make up for what… More
Not the worst Friday the 13th but really not the best. I found Jason in the second film more scary than Kane Hodder?s, he has lost that clumsiness that makes him human and more real, now he is just like Hulk Hogan in a mask. Savani does good as always but can't make up for what is possibly the worst ending to a film ever, even if it is a cheap 80's horror movie! Half way through I was just thinking, please can we go to Manhattan now, I?m bored of Crystal Lake!
Jason O

"Friday the 13th Part 7 - The New Blood" is definitely one of the top 3 movies of the series if you ask me. Years ago, a young Tina got mad at her father and wished that he was dead after he hit her mom. Somehow, that brought Jason back to life and he killed her father. Now… More
"Friday the 13th Part 7 - The New Blood" is definitely one of the top 3 movies of the series if you ask me. Years ago, a young Tina got mad at her father and wished that he was dead after he hit her mom. Somehow, that brought Jason back to life and he killed her father. Now Tina is a teenager and she has telekinetic powers, and she's hurt over her dad being dead. She can see things before they happen and she can move and control objects by concentrating on them. She has to deal with a not so trustworthy doctor who tricks her and doesn't seem to believe her story about Jason. Tina must find a way to use her special powers to overcome Jason Voorhees before he kills everybody around the area of Crystal Lake, including herself. "Friday the 13th Part 7 - The New Blood" is great because it is real interesting from the start, and it has great acting. In this sequel, Jason Voorhees is more relentless as a killer than he has been in the past 6 movies. It just seems he won't give up and that nothing will kill him, and that's another thing that really makes this movie stand out from the previous 6 movies in the series. If you like the other Friday the 13th movies, or great slash'em up horror flicks, I definitely recommend getting this one. NOTE: This was my Amazon review from the year 2000.
Chris G

The New Blood throws some new blood in the franchise by throwing Jason a curve ball and having him take on Carrie. Yes, it's a telekinetic girl that kicks Jason's ass left and right. That's the story and I'm sticking to it. The film has the standardized plot from… More
The New Blood throws some new blood in the franchise by throwing Jason a curve ball and having him take on Carrie. Yes, it's a telekinetic girl that kicks Jason's ass left and right. That's the story and I'm sticking to it. The film has the standardized plot from that point on. Even though I've heard the stories about this film being butchered by the MPAA I still can't see it being any better than what it is- a weak slasher flick that has a gimmick.
Luke B

It seems as though Jason just isn't enough for the Friday 13th saga. So here instead of just some girl as the hero we get a girl with telekinetic powers. It leads to some very poor effects and leaves unlucky Jason looking more confused than anyone. It also ditches the comedy of… More
It seems as though Jason just isn't enough for the Friday 13th saga. So here instead of just some girl as the hero we get a girl with telekinetic powers. It leads to some very poor effects and leaves unlucky Jason looking more confused than anyone. It also ditches the comedy of the last outing making this far too serious. By the time the awful ending comes about you'll be shaking your head in disbelief. Who knew Friday the 13th could be so cheesy?
Martin S

Should've been awarded the oscar for suckiest movie
A.D. V

Jason looks great and Buechler is a competent director handling a rather convoluted idea but the film suffers the most from the MPAA forcing so many cuts that it is the most bloodless of the entire series.
Cassandra M

Weepy Tina Shepard arrives at Crystal Lake with her mom and her doctor. Tina is a wreck of a girl - plagued by a powerful telekinetic ability, Tina killed her drunken and abusive father in a fit of rage many years ago and has been trying to deal with her guilt ever since.… More
Weepy Tina Shepard arrives at Crystal Lake with her mom and her doctor. Tina is a wreck of a girl - plagued by a powerful telekinetic ability, Tina killed her drunken and abusive father in a fit of rage many years ago and has been trying to deal with her guilt ever since. Unfortunately, her sadistic doctor wants only to exploit Tina's powers and drives Tina to the breaking point with his cruelty. In yet another emotional fit, Tina attempts to raise her dead father from the depths of Crystal Lake, but instead raises the rotting carcass of Jason Voorhees instead, who emerges with his hockey mask intact and his bloodlust stronger than ever. Jason immediately heads into the woods and starts killing, gradually working his way to the house next door to Tina's, filled with vacuous partying teens. Tina, who is also precognitive, tries to warn those around her of impending death, but no one will believe the stressed out girl. Finally, Tina must battle Jason herself is she hopes to save her new boyfriend and herself from death. This is Kane Hodder's first outing as Jason Voorhees and its a really great one. Jason is a hulking killing machine of pure, cold rage and the deaths the accrue have never been more vicious or grimly satisfying. The now-famous sleeping bag bludgeon makes its first appearance in this 6th installment, and its one of my favorites - really nasty and brutally hilarious. Lar Park Lincoln is great as Tina - perhaps a bit too weepy, but almost as angry as Jason and erupting in great displays of rage, both verbal and telekinetic. Lincoln did a lot of her own stunts in this one too, which is always impressive. The make-up effects in this movie are my absolute favorite. Jason is a wet, rotting cadaver, his spinal cord clearly visible through the shredded remains of his clothes, his ribcage poking out, his flesh dark with rot. The unmasking scene is a truly shocking and "wow!" inspiring awesome moment, as Jason's face is revealed to be little more than an animated skull - but animated it truly is! Beneath the hideous make-up, Hodder impressively expresses the evil wrath of Jason with one empty eye socket and half a mouthful of teeth. The telekinetic effects are a lot of fun as Tina "throws" every weapon at her disposal at Jason: a couch, a jar full of nails, a light fixture and finally a can of gasoline and the flames from the basement furnace. It was great to see someone give Jason a run for his money instead of just screaming and running away. All in all, one of the better sequels to follow the original Friday the 13th.
Lee ?

You'd be forgiven in thinking that this was a sequel to 'Carrie' rather than another 'Jason' movie. In this sixth sequel a touch of the supernatural is added into the mix by way of a teenage girl with Carrie-esque powers who mistakenly resurrects Jason… More
You'd be forgiven in thinking that this was a sequel to 'Carrie' rather than another 'Jason' movie. In this sixth sequel a touch of the supernatural is added into the mix by way of a teenage girl with Carrie-esque powers who mistakenly resurrects Jason Voorhees from his watery grave. They have an entertaining little face-off towards the latter half of the film after Jason has eventually killed almost every living thing within a 5 mile radius of Crystal Lake. But the film suffers from a rather lame and abrupt ending, and by clear edits to the gore by the censors which it needed to do to avoid an X-rating from the mpaa, as were all of the sequels, but this one seems to have suffered the worst and I'm surprised Paramount haven't released them unrated yet. Overall, not one of my favourites, but still it has it's cool moments.
Lafe F

Jason goes up against a girl named Tina with telekinetic powers. Jason was resurrected in a great way this time. There are several great killings in this movie, which weren't as gorey as they could've been, but the meddling studio cut a lot of footage out. Some of the… More
Jason goes up against a girl named Tina with telekinetic powers. Jason was resurrected in a great way this time. There are several great killings in this movie, which weren't as gorey as they could've been, but the meddling studio cut a lot of footage out. Some of the deaths you didn't even see onscreen! I didn't like the subplot of the girl's doctor trying to exploit her powers, but he got it good when he ran into Jason. The effects were top-notch. I really liked the make-up effects of Jason, with his skeletor-like face. The end battle is superb. The music was a bit annoying, with its repeated choral melody. This was the first film with Kane Hodder as Jason; he really fit the body-type and gestures. A mediocre entry in the Friday the 13th series.
Dean !

A very poor entry in the series!
Jason S

A psychic chick takes on Jason in a battle to the death. A little dumb.
Dean M

Freaky serial killer vs teleiness teen girl alike 'Carrie'.
Lindsey D

'Friday The 13th: Part 7 - The New Blood' is basically an average take on what would happen if Carrie White was being haunted by a zombie-like serial killer. Ever wondered what that'd be like? Nah, me either.
Matthew Y

The New Blood introduces a new element to the series, a young girl with psychic powers, mostly telekinetic and similar to the character in the film Carrie. This gives Jason a very formidable foe to combat with and you're either going to go with it or you're not. Then again… More
The New Blood introduces a new element to the series, a young girl with psychic powers, mostly telekinetic and similar to the character in the film Carrie. This gives Jason a very formidable foe to combat with and you're either going to go with it or you're not. Then again anyone still on board by this seventh film is likely to aThe film was directed by make-up effects artist John Carl Buechler which should be no surprise because the make-up effects are handily the best of the entire series (especially Jason's spine). The film is more campy fun than it is frightening but it has what most people look for out of these films in spades.
Daniel P

Gah, I really struggled to get through this one. An uneasy mix of <i>Carrie</i> and Jason Vorhees that just doesn't work. The makers were obviously trying to do something a bit different but it backfires horribly, and matters aren't helped by the truly wretched… More
Gah, I really struggled to get through this one. An uneasy mix of <i>Carrie</i> and Jason Vorhees that just doesn't work. The makers were obviously trying to do something a bit different but it backfires horribly, and matters aren't helped by the truly wretched performances, stupider than usual characters and bloodless kills (the MPAA in full force). The direction is also workmanlike. Pass.