"Gripping" '70s-set horror series that 'pushes nostalgia buttons' branded 'perfect Halloween watch'

It's the lead-up to Halloween, so there's plenty of horror films and shows on the way. But on Sky, a long-running franchise has been revived with a prequel series, and it has a "gripping" mystery at its centre.

Crystal Lake is set eight years before the original Friday the 13th film, with the action focusing on Pamela Voorhees (Linda Cardellini) as she comes to terms with the death of her young son, Jason.

"When two strangers arrive at Pam's door digging into her past, a disturbing chain of events is set into motion, leaving the townspeople of Crystal Lake wondering: just who is Pam Voorhees?" reads the logline.

Related: Near-perfect horror series hailed 'one of the best shows on TV' is coming to Netflix in the UK

From Brad Caleb Kane, the slasher series premiered on Sky Atlantic earlier this month, with new episodes airing in the early hours on Mondays. But if you don't want to wait for all eight instalments, they are all streaming via Sky and NOW.

Crystal Lake has garnered a generally positive response from critics and viewers alike, with Rotten Tomatoes currently reporting a solid approval rating of 76% from 76 reviews. The audience score, meanwhile, is markedly higher at 88%.

"Linda Cardellini kills it as Pamela Voorhees, and frequent call-backs push the nostalgia buttons as assuredly as Jason rips off campers' faces. Shame about the ludicrous backstory," said Empire Magazine.

"Showrunner Brad Caleb Kane transports viewers back to the 1970s with a slow burn that keeps you hooked. Some parts may feel excessively gory, but its all in line with the slasher films of the 1980s," noted The Globe and Mail.

TechRadar was also full of praise, writing: "Crystal Lake is the perfect TV series to watch this Halloween, as it takes a deep dive into Pamela Voorhees's psyche. Finally, we get to learn more about the Friday the 13th character, played brilliantly by Linda Cardellini."

Related: Coastal-set detective drama with "a new twist" will be one to watch this Halloween

In addition to Cardellini, the principal cast for the '70s-set series includes William Catlett, Gwendolyn Sundstrom, Cameron Scoggins and Devin Kessler. Callum Vinson and Hamish Linklater, meanwhile, appear in supporting roles.

Crystal Lake isn't the only spooky series that's delivering some scares this Halloween, with Digital Spy handily compiling a list of six shows – ranging from a long-running anthology drama to a new monster mystery – that you should definitely check out!

Crystal Lake airs on Sky Atlantic, and is also streaming on Sky and NOW.

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Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media.  His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.