Friday The 13th prequel series Crystal Lake is finally giving us the story behind one of horror’s most famous killers

Summer camp is supposed to be about making friends, getting outdoors and coming home with a few questionable stories. But at this campsite, the counselors have a much more pressing objective — staying alive. A24’s Crystal Lake takes us back to the world of Friday the 13th, digging into the dark history behind one of horror’s most recognisable killers.

Before Jason Voorhees became the masked menace horror fans know and fear, there was Pamela Voorhees, a mother whose story is tangled up in grief, obsession and vengeance. The prequel follows Pamela and the early life of her son Jason, tracing a family’s tragic descent into violence long before the legend of the killer takes shape.

Supplied: Stan

And if you thought you knew everything about Crystal Lake, think again. The series explores the camp’s sinister past and the events that helped turn an ordinary small town into a place synonymous with death. The familiar Friday the 13th mythology gets a fresh perspective, with new layers of mystery to unpack and a whole history of horror to uncover.

Grief, maternal obsession and revenge? Check, check, absolutely terrifying check.

Crystal Lake goes beyond the familiar slasher formula to dig into the people and tragedies behind the legend. Exploring the lore gives longtime fans an in-depth look at the Friday the 13th mythology, while newbies can find out why this horror franchise has been haunting audiences for decades.

Supplied: Stan

There’s also heaps of room for speculation. Every revelation about the camp’s past has the potential to change how we see the story, making the mystery part of the fun. Who knows what new details internet sleuths will pick apart between episodes?

With Callum Vinson (Chucky, The Night Agent, Long Bright River) and Linda Cardellini (Dead to Me, Freaks and Geeks, Scooby-Doo) among its stars, Crystal Lake brings a fresh cast to a world with a seriously dark history. Produced by A24, the series also arrives with the pedigree of a studio known for its work in distinctive, filmmaker-driven horror.

Supplied: Stan

Whether you’ve spent years revisiting the Friday the 13th films or you’re ready to find out what all the fuss is about, Crystal Lake promises a return to horror’s most infamous summer camp, with a bunch of secrets left to uncover. Just remember — if someone suggests a weekend away in the woods, you might want to do a little research first.

Crystal Lake lands on Stan on October 16, bringing a fresh dose of dread just in time for Halloween. All eight episodes drop at once, so you can tear through the entire season in one sitting, although I can’t promise you’ll be sleeping soundly afterwards.