Thanksgiving: What Are You Thankful For?

Contains spoilers!

I would like you, dear reader, to do me a favor, please. Close your eyes, and answer me this question: what comes to mind when you think of slasher movies? I'm sure films like Halloween (1978) come to mind. Christmas slashers like Black Christmas (original in 1974, remakes in 2006 and 2019) seem to be popular, and the same could be said with My Bloody Valentine (again, original in 1981, remake in 2009). Thanksgiving, though, seems to be left out when it comes to a slasher setting. Director Eli Roth stepped in and said, "Hold my gravy." Released in 2023, the film follows the citizens of Plymouth, Massachusetts as they are stalked by a serial killer in a John Carver mask one year after a disastrous Black Friday riot.

The film earns its R-rating in under twenty minutes, showing the riot in its deadly, over the top glory. No doubt these people, just hours before, gathered around a Thanksgiving feast, proclaiming what they were thankful for. Come evening, though, they turn into greedy monsters, going so far as to snatch a waffle iron out of a dying man's hands. It's the opening scene of Krampus (2015) dialed up to twenty.

The movie has everything you can think a Thanksgiving slasher would have: parades, characters saying what they're thankful for, and cooking someone to the point the pop thermometer does its thing. It's a movie that does an excellent job of blending horror and comedy. The acting works, for the most part; they knew they weren’t making the greatest film ever, but they knew they were making something fun, and it shows. It can be easy enough to guess who the killer is, but on a first-time viewing, there are attempts to throw you off the scent. I can guarantee when a sequel's released, I'll be in line for a second helping.

Cast

Patrick Dempsey as Sheriff Eric Newlon

Nell Verlaque as Jessica Wright

Addison Rae as Gaby

Jalen Thomas Brooks as Bobby

Gabriel Davenport as Scuba