by As a 25-year-old movie blogger with five years of experience reviewing Hollywood horror flicks, I’ve seen my fair share of slashers—some unforgettable, many forgettable. But Eli Roth’s “Thanksgiving” pleasantly surprised me. It’s not just another seasonal horror film tossed out with leftover cranberry sauce. It’s a brutal, often hilarious slasher that turns the seemingly innocent Thanksgiving holiday into a gore-soaked buffet of carnage. While it’s far from perfect, it manages to do something rare these days—it delivers exactly what it promises and has fun doing it.
A Killer Concept for a Holiday We Rarely See in Horror
Horror films have taken over just about every major holiday—Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day. But Thanksgiving has always felt oddly underrepresented. That changes with “Thanksgiving,” a long-awaited expansion of Roth’s fake trailer from the 2007 cult classic Grindhouse. In this full-length feature, the Thanksgiving table gets turned upside down. Blood replaces gravy. Heads roll like dinner rolls. And the holiday cheer? Replaced with screams.
Set in the small town of Plymouth, Massachusetts (the birthplace of Thanksgiving), the film opens with a bang—literally. A Black Friday sales event at Right Mart descends into absolute chaos. A year after this deadly tragedy, a masked killer dressed as a menacing pilgrim begins picking off those connected to that night’s horrific events. It’s a simple slasher setup, but one that’s elevated by Roth’s unrelenting style, grotesque creativity, and a wicked sense of humor.
Eli Roth’s Best Film Yet? Possibly.
Eli Roth has long been known for his love of gore and his polarizing catalog (Cabin Fever, Hostel). But “Thanksgiving” might be his most balanced work to date. It’s gory without being torture porn. It’s funny without being a full-on parody. Roth has always thrived when he leans into absurdity, and “Thanksgiving” embraces the ridiculousness of its premise without ever losing its slasher bite.
The kills are creative, often jaw-droppingly brutal, and delightfully over-the-top. From a twisted take on Thanksgiving dinner (you’ll never look at stuffing the same way again) to a decapitation involving a freezer door, Roth holds nothing back. It’s clear he’s having a blast, and that enthusiasm is infectious.
A Strong, If Familiar, Cast of Characters
“Thanksgiving” doesn’t reinvent the slasher cast formula, but it doesn’t need to. We get the classic setup: a group of high school teens hiding secrets, a small-town sheriff trying to keep things under control, and a masked killer with a deeply personal vendetta.
Nell Verlaque plays Jessica, the film’s final girl-in-the-making. She’s strong-willed and smart, though not always the best at making decisions under pressure—just the way we like our horror heroines. Her performance is solid, especially as the stakes climb. Patrick Dempsey plays the town sheriff, bringing some recognizable charm and gravitas. The rest of the young cast, including Addison Rae and Milo Manheim, serve their purposes well, filling out the film’s social media-obsessed teen landscape with enough flavor to make us care when they inevitably get picked off.
The Killer: A New Horror Icon in the Making?
The masked killer in “Thanksgiving,” donning a creepy pilgrim outfit, is instantly iconic. Think of him as a twisted cousin of Ghostface from Scream—he’s cunning, cruel, and creative. The anonymity of the mask, paired with the killer’s methodical approach, adds real suspense. Every time he’s on screen, the tension rises.
The big reveal—who the killer actually is—might be a bit predictable for seasoned horror fans, but it doesn’t take away from the fun. In fact, it ties back neatly to the opening massacre and offers just enough motive to make sense, even if the execution (pun intended) is extreme.
A Holiday Horror That Doesn’t Pull Punches
Where “Thanksgiving” shines is in its tone. Roth strikes a surprisingly effective balance between horror and humor. One minute you’re wincing at a gruesome kill, the next you’re laughing at a line of dialogue that’s so absurd it feels pulled from a dark comedy. It’s campy without being corny. Bloody without being bleak.
The film also embraces its holiday theme to the fullest. From turkeys and pilgrim hats to parades and stuffing, every element of Thanksgiving is twisted into something sinister. There’s a sequence involving a Thanksgiving parade that turns into a full-blown nightmare. Even a simple family dinner becomes a grotesque ritual.
Issues with “Thanksgiving” – Because No Feast is Perfect
Despite its strengths, “Thanksgiving” isn’t without flaws. The film occasionally dips into predictability. The killer’s identity, while fun to guess at, becomes obvious about two-thirds in. Some side characters feel underdeveloped, serving only as body count padding.
Additionally, the script doesn’t always fully explore the motivations behind the killings. Yes, revenge is a strong theme here, but the way certain deaths are carried out feels more stylistic than logical. And while this won’t bother every viewer, those looking for tight, airtight plot logic might find themselves scratching their heads.
The Black Friday Commentary – More Than Just Blood and Guts
“Thanksgiving” isn’t just a slasher—it’s also a biting satire of American consumerism. The opening sequence, set during a Black Friday frenzy, is shockingly intense. People get trampled, crushed, and fight over waffle makers like it’s the end of the world. It sets the tone for a film that’s as much about societal commentary as it is about holiday horror.
Roth takes aim at corporate greed, influencer culture, and the performative nature of grief. These themes aren’t always deeply explored, but they add flavor to the narrative. In a way, “Thanksgiving” is about how easily we forget tragedies when there’s a good sale or social media clout to chase.
Audience Experience – Best Served in a Packed Theater
This is the kind of horror film that plays best with a crowd. The screams, laughs, and gasps that ripple through a theater during “Thanksgiving” enhance the viewing experience. Whether it’s a jaw-dropping kill or a particularly hilarious one-liner, it’s fun to watch with others who are in on the joke.
Roth knows his audience well. He doesn’t waste time on unnecessary exposition or forced character drama. Instead, he gives horror fans what they came for—blood, tension, and a few belly laughs. It’s not art-house horror, and it doesn’t pretend to be.
Final Verdict: A Deliciously Twisted Holiday Treat
“Thanksgiving” won’t be for everyone. If you’re squeamish, skip it. But if you’re a slasher fan, or even someone who just loves seeing a holiday turned into a horror show, this film delivers. It’s bold, bloody, and absurdly entertaining. And most importantly, it shows that Eli Roth still has a few surprises up his sleeve.
With franchise potential written all over it, “Thanksgiving” could easily carve out a place among other holiday horror classics. So grab some leftovers, gather your horror-loving friends, and prepare for a feast of fear. This might just become your new annual tradition.
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