This Movie Was So Disturbing Roger Ebert Called It a Threat to Society
Roger Ebert was known for his strong opinions, but one film in particular made him react more strongly than usual. When Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter came out in 1984, he did not hold back.
The movie was very popular at the time. It had a strong opening and attracted a lot of young viewers. While many people saw it as simple entertainment, Ebert saw something very different. He believed its success reflected badly on society.
In his review, he described the film as “an immoral and reprehensible piece of trash.” He felt the movie had no real story or purpose. Instead, he saw it as a series of violent scenes with no deeper meaning.
The film follows Jason Voorhees, who continues his killings at a camp after escaping. Ebert was especially critical of how much the movie focused on violence. He wrote that it was “90 minutes of teenagers being strangled, stabbed, impaled, chopped up, and mutilated.” He believed this kind of content could affect young audiences in a negative way.
Ebert had a long-standing issue with slasher films. He did not like movies that focused only on death and shock value. He also called the film’s success “a very, very depressing commentary” on what people enjoy watching.
Looking back, the situation did not turn out the way he feared. The movie did not have a long-term effect on its audience. Most people watched it for entertainment and moved on. More sequels followed, and the controversy faded over time.
Today, the film is seen as a typical example of 1980s horror rather than something harmful. It also shows how critics and audiences can see movies in very different ways.
Ebert’s reaction shows how much he cared about film quality and meaning. At the same time, it reminds us that not every movie needs to be taken so seriously. Sometimes people just want to be entertained.
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!
