“Thanksgiving” (2023)

Horror

Running Time: 106 minutes

Written by: Jeff Rendell

Directed by: Eli Roth

Featuring: Patrick Dempsey, Addison Rae, Milo Manheim, Jalen Thomas Brooks, Nell Verlaque, Rick Hoffman and Gina Gershon

Thomas Wright: “Thanksgiving is a time for appreciation. To celebrate with the ones that we love the most. And a time for all families to be together. Let’s eat.”

Eli Roth, the director known for his over-the-top horror films, has finally turned his attention to Thanksgiving, the holiday of gratitude and family togetherness. But in Roth’s hands, Thanksgiving is anything but traditional. His 2023 film is a gory and satirical slasher that takes aim at the hypocrisy of the holiday and the dark side of American consumerism.

scene from the movie Thanksgiving where a group of people are trapped in a department store during a Black Friday riot.

The film opens on a chaotic Black Friday, where a group of frenzied shoppers stampede through a department store in a desperate rush for discounted goods. The scene is a chaotic and violent spectacle, setting the stage for the bloodshed to come.

A year later, on the eve of Thanksgiving, a masked killer dressed as a pilgrim begins terrorizing the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts. The killer, known as the Pilgrim Ripper, targets young college students, picking them off one by one in gruesome and inventive ways.

The film features a cast of familiar faces, including Addison Rae, Patrick Dempsey, and Gina Gershon. Rae stars as Carly, a college student who is struggling to cope with the aftermath of the Black Friday tragedy. Dempsey plays her father, a police officer who is determined to bring the Pilgrim Ripper to justice. Gershon plays the town’s eccentric mayor, who is more concerned with keeping the town’s secrets than protecting its citizens.

In addition to its gory thrills, Thanksgiving is also a satirical take on American culture. The film takes aim at the consumerism and materialism that have come to define the holiday. It also explores the dark side of American history, particularly the violence and bloodshed that took place during the colonization of the Americas.

Thanksgiving is a return to form for Roth, who has been criticized in recent years for making films that are more style than substance. This film is a reminder of his ability to craft a genuinely scary and suspenseful horror film.

Beneath its layers of gore and satire, Thanksgiving explores several thought-provoking themes that resonate with contemporary society. Let’s delve into some of these key aspects:

Eli Roth masterfully portrays the frenzy and violence that can emerge from the rampant consumerism associated with Black Friday sales. The film’s opening scenes vividly depict the chaos and destruction that ensue as shoppers trample over each other in a desperate pursuit of discounted goods. This exaggerated portrayal serves as a stark reminder of the dark side of consumerism and its potential to turn people into mindless, aggressive creatures.

Thanksgiving is often celebrated as a time for family, gratitude, and reflection. However, Roth challenges this idealized notion by exposing the hypocrisy that often underlies the holiday. The film’s setting in Plymouth, Massachusetts, the birthplace of Thanksgiving, adds a layer of irony as the town’s inhabitants grapple with the violent actions of the Pilgrim Ripper. The film suggests that the true spirit of Thanksgiving is often overshadowed by materialism, selfishness, and a disregard for the less fortunate.

The choice of a pilgrim-masked killer as the antagonist is not merely a random slasher trope; it serves as a symbolic reminder of the dark side of American history. The film alludes to the violent conquest of Native American lands and the atrocities committed by the early settlers. The Pilgrim Ripper’s murderous rampage can be seen as a manifestation of this dark legacy, a haunting reminder of the sins of the past.

Despite the gruesome violence and the bleak outlook on society, Thanksgiving also offers moments of hope and resilience. The film’s characters, particularly Carly, face their fears and fight back against the evil that surrounds them. Their determination to survive and their acts of kindness serve as a beacon of hope amidst the darkness.

Eli Roth’s Thanksgiving has left a lasting mark on the horror genre, not only for its visceral thrills and satirical elements but also for its innovative approach to storytelling and its exploration of social themes. The film has inspired a new wave of horror filmmakers who are unafraid to push boundaries and challenge the conventions of the genre.

Thanksgiving harkens back to the era of grindhouse cinema, a style of filmmaking characterized by its exploitation of graphic violence, sex, and social commentary. Roth’s use of grainy film stock, over-the-top gore effects, and a gritty, grimy atmosphere pays homage to the grindhouse classics of the 1970s. This stylistic choice lends the film a sense of authenticity and adds to its overall impact.

Thanksgiving cleverly subverts the traditional horror tropes, injecting a layer of humor and social commentary into the familiar slasher narrative. The film’s exaggerated depiction of Black Friday frenzy, the inclusion of an eccentric mayor more concerned with public perception than public safety, and the exploration of the dark side of American history all contribute to the film’s satirical edge.

Thanksgiving strikes a delicate balance between horror and social commentary. While the film delivers plenty of gore and scares to satisfy horror fans, it also takes aim at consumerism, materialism, and the hypocrisy of American culture. This blend of entertainment and social consciousness is what makes Thanksgiving a unique and memorable horror experience.

Thanksgiving has inspired a new generation of horror filmmakers who are not afraid to experiment with genre conventions and explore social themes in their work. The film’s success has demonstrated that there is a demand for horror films that are both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Since its release in 2023, Eli Roth’s Thanksgiving has captivated audiences with its blend of gory thrills and insightful social commentary. The film’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to tap into our deepest fears and anxieties while simultaneously offering a scathing critique of contemporary society.

Thanksgiving masterfully exploits our primal fears of death, violence, and the unknown. The film’s relentless pursuit of graphic violence and its relentless pursuit of gruesome imagery leave a lasting impression on viewers. The Pilgrim Ripper’s relentless pursuit of victims and his imaginative methods of torture heighten our sense of dread and keep us on the edge of our seats.

Beyond its visceral thrills, Thanksgiving serves as a scathing commentary on the darker aspects of American society. The film’s portrayal of Black Friday frenzy exposes the destructive nature of rampant consumerism and materialism. The Pilgrim Ripper’s actions can be seen as a manifestation of the country’s violent colonial past and the lingering injustices that continue to plague society.

The combination of horror and social commentary is what makes Thanksgiving a timeless tale. The film’s ability to both terrify and provoke thought ensures that it will continue to resonate with audiences for generations to come. Roth’s willingness to delve into the darkest corners of human nature and society while still delivering a thrilling horror experience sets Thanksgiving apart from many of its contemporaries.

Thanksgiving has left a lasting mark on the horror genre, inspiring a new wave of filmmakers who are unafraid to challenge conventions and explore social themes. The film’s success has demonstrated that there is a strong demand for horror films that are both entertaining and intellectually stimulating.

Thanksgiving is more than just a gory slasher film; it is a social commentary that challenges our perceptions of a beloved holiday and forces us to confront the darker aspects of American culture. Roth’s willingness to delve into these uncomfortable themes while still delivering a thrilling and entertaining horror experience makes Thanksgiving a unique and thought-provoking cinematic experience.