If You Enjoyed the Movie Crystal Lake, There Is Another Movie You Should Definitely Watch.
Peacock’s Crystal Lake is a surprise in many ways. It takes one of horror’s most iconic figures—Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th franchise—and delves into the universe’s backstory, focusing on his mother, Pamela. Known as the serial killer from the original film, Pamela evolved into a psychopath who inspired her son to become the most psychopathic killer of all time, and this is the driving force behind Crystal Lake , revealing the damaged humanity beneath the horror. If you’ve already watched all eight episodes of Crystal Lake’s first season and are familiar with the similar series , now’s the time to watch the films—starting with the perfect companion piece, 2022’s Pearl .
Pearl (2022)
The second film in Ti West’s X trilogy (beginning with X and concluding with 2024’s MaXXXine ) is perfect to watch after Crystal Lake . Like the entire series, it explores the backstory of a female serial killer and reframes your understanding of her motivations and psychology. A familiarity with the original story is also required—while you can certainly watch Crystal Lake or Pearl without Friday the 13th or X , you’ll be missing out.
In X, a group of young people arrive at a run-down old farm in Texas in 1979 to film a pornographic movie. By the end of the film, most of them are killed by an elderly couple, Howard (Stephen Ure) and Pearl (Mia Goth), with Pearl presented as the crazier and more dangerous of the two. It’s a gripping update on the classic horror movie template, and Goth brilliantly plays the dual roles of Maxine, the “last girl standing,” and the psychopathic, bloodthirsty Pearl. The prequel, Pearl , takes us back to 1918, when Pearl (Goth again) is a young woman living with her strict mother and paralyzed father. Pearl dreams of becoming an artist, but her mother tries to hold her back so she can take care of her parents and work on the farm. Pearl’s loneliness, unhappiness and disappointment (both mental and, shall we say, physical ) gradually increase, the tension mounts, she loses her mind, and her anger at her parents turns into something frightening.
Like Crystal Lake , Pearl gives the killer, who seems rather one-dimensional in the original film, a deeper backstory and psychological depth. Pamela Voorhees wasn’t simply crazy—she was driven mad by the horrific events that befell her and her son, and the terrible treatment she received from those around her. Likewise, Pearl is a hopeful and innocent young woman who is gradually transformed into a killer by the events of her life. Both the series and the film remind us that monsters are rarely born—they are created. And usually, this happens through the everyday abuse of others. If you enjoyed the fresh take on Pamela in Crystal Lake , Pearl is the perfect choice for a movie night. Watch Pearl on Hulu or rent it on Prime Video .
If you liked the movie Crystal Lake, you might want to check out other movies too.
Looking for more serial killer movies that capture the spirit of Crystal Lake ? Don’t worry—here are some other great options to watch alongside the series.
Friday the 13th (1980)
If you’ve never seen the original Friday the 13th (or if it’s been a while since you’ve seen it), this film is a must-see for fans of Crystal Lake . While the series takes some liberties with the chronology, it still aims to depict the events that transformed Pamela and Jason Voorhees into inhuman (and somewhat supernatural) monsters. Initially met with extremely negative reviews, the film became a surprise blockbuster and is now considered a classic of the genre it created; rewatching the film today not only helps put Crystal Lake in context but also puts the entire slasher genre in perspective. Watch Friday the 13th on Netflix or rent it on Prime Video .
Sleepaway Camp (1983)
The success of Friday the 13th , of course, spawned a wave of imitators. Most weren’t particularly good or even interesting, but Sleepaway Camp is an exception (though it was also panned by critics at the time). Now a cult classic, Sleepaway Camp appeals to Crystal Lake and Friday the 13th fans for two reasons: its eerie atmosphere, which creates an otherworldly quality that heightens the sense of dread, and what is arguably the most unexpected ending in slasher film history (and likely one of the top 10 endings ever). You can watch Sleepaway Camp on the Roku Channel , Kanopy , or Tubi , or rent it on Prime Video .
Teen Sex and Death at Camp Miasma (2026)
One of the reasons Crystal Lake exists is the enduring power and influence of slasher films in general, and Friday the 13th in particular. Few modern films capture this nightmarish atmosphere as skillfully as Jane Schönbrun’s Teen Sex and Death at Camp Miasma . Like much of Schönbrun’s work, the film explores themes of identity, subverts stereotypes about the LGBT community, and reveals the fluid nature of reality itself. If you’re looking for a slasher story that’s less straightforward than Crystal Lake but explores similar themes of transformation and fate, this is it. Watch Teen Sex and Death at Camp Miasma on Mubi .
Burning (1981)
If you’ve seen all the Friday the 13th films and want more slasher horror with a twist, check out Burning . Is it a great movie? Not quite. Combining the straightforward slasher tropes of Friday the 13th with villainous motifs from another classic franchise, A Nightmare on Elm Street , Burning pushes the blood and guts to the limit (and beyond) and remains notorious for its gore even by today’s standards. But if Crystal Lake’s often over-the-top gore and violence are your favorite, it’s a perfect choice. Watch Burning on the Roku Channel or Kanopy .
May (2002)
Want a slasher that explores the psychology of a female killer the same way Crystal Lake explores Pamela Voorhees? Watch May . A fragile young woman, May struggles to connect with those around her and gradually descends into a fantasy world that inspires her to literally create her perfect friend. What makes May so compelling is the depth of its exploration of her personality, similar to Crystal Lake’s exploration of Pamela, tracking her every step of her descent into bloody hell. Watch May on Tubi or rent it on Prime Video .