Thanksgiving Movie Spoiler Review: Don't Miss Eli Roth's New Slasher Movie
Directed by Eli Roth, this surprising gem is set in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where a Thanksgiving-inspired killer wreaks havoc. Despite lacking marketing, this inventive slasher film is expected to gain a cult following among horror fans.
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Starring:-
Patrick Dempsey as Sheriff Eric Newlon,
Addison Rae as Gabby
Milo Manheim as Ryan
Jalen Thomas Brooks as Bobby
Nell Verlaque as Jessica,
Rick Hoffman as Thomas Wright
Gabriel Davenport as Scuba
Gina Gershon as Amanda Collins
Release Date:- November 17, 2023 (In Theaters)
Director:- Eli Roth
Screenplay:- Jeff Rendell
Running time:- 106 minutes
Plot Synopsis (Thanksgiving Spoilers Ahead)
In 2022, during Thanksgiving in Plymouth, Massachusetts, people gathered outside the RightMart superstore in preparation for a Black Friday sale. Jessica Wright, whose father Thomas owns the store, lets her friends Evan, Gabby, Scuba, Yulia, and her boyfriend Bobby inside the store early through a side door. The crowd outside sees them and stampes into the store, resulting in multiple people dying. Amanda Collins, the wife of store manager Mitch, is also killed in the mayhem.
One year later, RightMart is preparing for another sale despite the protests of Mitch and several other residents. Meanwhile, Jessica and her friends are tagged in a social media post of a Thanksgiving table with their names around it. A waitress named Lizzie is attacked and killed by a figure dressed in black clothing wearing a John Carver mask. The police discover that Lizzie was present at the Black Friday riot, which leads them to believe those involved in the massacre are being targeted by "John Carver".
Bobby returns to Plymouth after being injured in the riot, much to the chagrin of Jessica's current boyfriend, Ryan. Jessica aids the John Carver investigation by providing footage of the riot to the town sheriff, Eric Newlon. The Carver claims more victims, including RightMart security guard Manny and high school students Amy and Lonnie. John Carver soon abducts Evan and Gabby while Jessica narrowly avoids being killed. Yulia's father decides to move their family to Florida, but he and the deputy guarding them are knocked out by John Carver, who attacks Yulia. Jessica and Scuba drive to Yulia's house but cannot stop Carver from disemboweling Yulia with a buzzsaw before he escapes.
The police attempt to lure Carver out by having the Wright family and Scuba participate in a Thanksgiving parade. However, The Carver deduces their plan and decapitates a turkey mascot before sending smoke bombs into the crowd, causing everyone to scatter in panic and allowing John Carver to abduct the Wrights and Scuba in the chaos. John Carver then cooks Jessica's stepmother Kathleen alive in an oven before serving her as the "turkey" at a dinner table surrounded by his hostages and the corpses of his victims. John Carver then bludgeons Evan to death in a live stream before Jessica cuts through her bindings and escapes, luring him away from the others. She eludes Carver by climbing over a fence and running through the woods. Jessica makes it to a parade warehouse and finds Newlon unconscious. When she follows a figure wearing the Carver's mask inside, she sees it is Bobby. She calls Newlon to help capture Bobby, but he escapes.
The police soon arrive and inform them that the survivors are safe. Once they leave Jessica and Newlon alone, Jessica notices the same brambles from the fence that stuck to her are also on Newlon, leading her to realize that he is John Carver. Newlon reveals that he was having an affair with Amanda, who was pregnant with his child when she died. His motive was to become The Carver and seek revenge on those responsible. To Newlon's horror, it's revealed that Jessica has live-streamed his confession, leading him to attack her until Bobby saves her.
The two attempt to escape in a truck, but Newlon hooks it to a support beam. As he approaches them with an axe, Jessica uses a musket to shoot a parade balloon, causing an explosion that engulfs Newlon in flames. By morning, Bobby is taken away in an ambulance, and Jessica reunites with Gabby, Ryan, and Scuba. The authorities are unable to find Newlon's remains, leading them to believe he was incinerated in the explosion. However, Jessica continues to have nightmares of a flaming Newlon attacking her from a bedroom closet.
A Thanksgiving Horror Like No Other
Dated by Eli Roth, Thanksgiving stands out as a one-of-a-kind horror film. Released in 2007 as part of a double feature by Quinton Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, this MovieMovie explores the rarely explored subgenre of Thanksgiving-themed horror. It offers an inventive twist to the slasher formula, combining suspense, inventive kills, and heaps of blood and gore.
A Fresh and Non-Pretentious Take
Eli Roth's direction brings a refreshing touch to Thanksgiving. Unlike many horror films, it balances itself by avoiding being mean-spirited or depressingly dark. Instead, it embraces the genre's trademark elements while adding twists and surprises. This non-pretentious approach, coupled with Roth's notorious inventive kills and gore, makes Thanksgiving a standout movie within the horror community.
Surprisingly Enjoyable and Suspenseful
While Thanksgiving-themed horror movies are scarce, Thanksgiving delivers a suspenseful and enjoyable experience. It successfully incorporates the formulaic elements of slasher movies, such as a "who done it" mystery, a diverse cast of characters, and thrilling chase scenes. What sets it apart is the skillful execution and genuine love for the genre, resulting in a blast of a movie that horror buffs will appreciate.
A Fun Third Act with a Few Hiccups
Thanksgiving excels in its third act, providing a satisfying climax that horror movies often struggle to achieve. The film maintains its momentum, keeping the audience invested and engaged. However, there are occasional moments where the editing feels choppy, characters teleport inexplicably, and scenes appear to have been deleted or shifted. Despite these small flaws, Thanksgiving remains an overall enjoyable and thrilling experience.
Conclusion:
Thanksgiving is a hidden gem in the horror genre, offering a unique twist on traditional slasher films. With its inventive kills, suspenseful story, and non-pretentious approach, it is a movie that horror fans should not miss. Despite minor flaws in the third act, it delivers an enjoyable experience that will leave audiences wanting more.
Read Unravelling the Ending of Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes...
Pop Culture Trivia:-
- This movie is based on Eli Roth's Grindhouse trailer, which was a fake trailer in the middle of that Grindhouse(2007) double feature that Quinton Tarantino(Death Proof) and Robert Rodriguez(Planet Terror) made back in 2007. They've taken that idea, expanded it, and made a slasher movie set on Thanksgiving.
- John Carver was one of the Pilgrims who braved the Mayflower voyage in 1620, creating Plymouth Colony in America, where the film is set. He was also the first governor of the New Plymouth colony.
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