Kelly Hu has built an impressive career across film, television, and voice acting. From her roles in Phineas & Ferb, The Legend of Vox Machina, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012), to voicing characters in the Mortal Kombat video game franchise, Hu’s versatility has made her a familiar presence in pop culture. Yet one of her most memorable live-action roles remains her portrayal of Yuriko Oyama, better known as Lady Deathstrike, in X2: X-Men United.
Lady Deathstrike in X2
In the 2003 Marvel sequel, Hu’s Lady Deathstrike faced off against Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine in one of the franchise’s most iconic fight sequences. The battle inside William Stryker’s lab showcased two living weapons evenly matched in strength and ferocity. Hu’s silent performance added intensity, as her character fought under mind control, ultimately meeting a tragic end.
Though she did not reprise the role in Deadpool & Wolverine, Hu’s single appearance left a lasting impression. Fans still regard the Wolverine vs. Lady Deathstrike duel as one of the best action scenes in the X-Men series.
A Horror Beginning in Friday the 13th
Before her Marvel debut, Hu’s first feature film role came in 1989’s Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan. She played Eva, a kind-hearted teenager aboard the Lakeview High Grad Cruise. Unfortunately, Eva committed the classic horror movie mistake of taking drugs, placing her squarely on Jason Voorhees’ radar.
Eva’s fate unfolded in the ship’s disco dance hall. Chased by Jason, she was strangled in a sequence made more unsettling by flashing lights and pounding music. Jason then threw her body onto the dance floor, cutting the music abruptly and leaving audiences with a chilling silence. The scene highlighted Jason’s spectral menace and gave Hu a memorable, if tragic, introduction to cinema.
A Career of Tragic Roles
Hu’s early horror demise mirrors her later turn as Lady Deathstrike, another character whose story ended in tragedy. Whether facing Jason Voorhees or Wolverine, Hu brought intensity and vulnerability to her performances, making her characters resonate even in defeat.
Streaming Availability
For fans eager to revisit Hu’s beginnings, Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan is currently streaming on Paramount+. Meanwhile, X2: X-Men United remains a staple of the Marvel film library, showcasing Hu’s unforgettable clash with Wolverine.
Conclusion
Kelly Hu’s career trajectory—from a victim in Friday the 13th to a formidable Marvel villain—demonstrates her range and impact across genres. While her characters often meet tragic ends, Hu’s performances continue to captivate audiences, cementing her place in both horror and superhero film history.
