‘Crystal Lake’s’ showrunner breaks down his bold take on Jason and Pamela Voorhees’ origin story, connecting their plight to American exceptionalism, and mixing fan service with risky reinvention.

It’s no exaggeration to say that horror cinema would be irrevocably different today without Friday the 13th and Jason Voorhees. This humble summer-camp slasher has endured for over 45 years, producing...