Eli Roth carves out a homecoming horror feast just in time for Thanksgiving, dishing up devilish delights and flesh-ripping thrills that’ll lure horror enthusiasts back to the theaters throughout the holiday season. Roth, known for “Hostel,” reunites with writer Jeff Rendell after nearly a decade, delivering a wickedly awaited cinematic treat originating from their teenage imaginations. The concept, born as a fake trailer in 2007’s “Grindhouse,” now expands into a full-length “Thanksgiving” slasher, satisfying the appetites of its loyal annual viewers.
Set in Plymouth, Massachusetts, the film follows a group of high-school friends and unwitting adults, turned collateral damage, who find themselves hunted by the maniacal John Carver. Carver, adorned in a tacky plastic pilgrim mask and attire, exudes a cosplay mascot of death vibe. The story unfolds against the backdrop of a Black Friday frenzy at the local Right Mart big-box store, serving up acidly funny social satire on consumer culture’s riotous nature.
As the film progresses, it delves into a small-town soap opera, laden with guilt and recrimination, a quintessential theme of slasher movies. Roth skillfully weaves a tale around a cast of suspects and walking dead meat, with nods to contemporary horror elements and witty touches. “Thanksgiving” cleverly incorporates fast-break patter reminiscent of the “Scream” films and a thematic link to the recent “Saw” sequel. Social media plays a pivotal role as Carver live-streams his climactic atrocity, while moments like Jessica hiding among mannequin heads add a playful twist.
Recreating key moments from the original trailer, including a macabre Thanksgiving parade and a gruesome trampoline episode, the film transforms the once-satirical joke into a full-fledged horror experience. What was once too absurdly gruesome in 2007’s “Grindhouse” now emerges as a deliciously crafted holiday offering in “Thanksgiving.” After you witness Roth’s epic film you’ll be asking yourself, who wouldn’t crave a second helping?
Thanksgiving is in cinemas now.
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