The Stream: A pretty standard slasher movie plot.

The Big Screen: A dynamic opening sequence and funny kills throughout.

The Final Bill: A fun horror flick that could have utilized its Thanksgiving theme better.

– Trip Fontaine
Director: Eli Roth
Writers: Jeff Rendell; story by Eli Roth and Jeff Rendell
Stars: Nell Verlaque, Milo Manheim, Gabriel Davenport, Rick Hoffman, Gina Gershon, Patrick Dempsey
Genre: Horror, Comedy, Thriller
Rating: R for strong bloody horror violence and gore, pervasive language and some sexual material.
Runtime: 1 hour 39 minutes
Production Companies: TriStar Pictures, Cream Productions, Spyglass Media Group, Ethereal Visage Productions
Platform: In theaters November 17, 2023
Notable Trailers: The Beekeeper, Silent Night, Night Swim, Anyone But You, Napoleon

What are you thankful for this year, Streamers? I’m thankful for all of the new and diverse offerings on the big screen this week, including the new slasher-comedy, Thanksgiving. There aren’t that many Thanksgiving-focused movies, so this one gets to stand out among the crowded field of other holiday offerings. Here’s whether this horror flick is really something to be thankful for.

Based on a mock trailer of the same name from Grindhouse, Thanksgiving tells the story of horrific murders carried out by a killer clothed in black and wearing a John Carver mask on Thanksgiving in Plymouth, Massachusetts.  A riot occurred the year before on Black Friday at the RightMart in town, a local superstore. A group of teenagers, one of whom is the daughter of the store owner, get early access to the store in front of the growing angry mob, which sets off the fateful riot. People are trampled and killed in the melee. One year later, a masked killer starts picking off those involved in the riot one by one in gruesome fashion. Bloody Thanksgiving-themed mayhem and hijinks ensue.

Thanksgiving starts with such a dynamic scene at the RightMart. It really packs a punch in the beginning. It is gruesome and funny. There seems to be good satire about consumerism and the ridiculousness of the Black Friday rush happening. The mayhem of this scene is depicted vividly. The rest of the movie doesn’t live up to this starting sequences even though there are fun kills. The cartoonish effects emphasize how violent but silly it all is. The shocking violence will definitely make you laugh and cover your eyes. That’s all you really want from a slasher flick like this, right? I only wish that Thanksgiving itself was more integrated into the story.  It feels more like a backdrop than anything else.

Ultimately, Thanksgiving is a fine horror comedy and a good addition to the holiday-themed slasher genre.  There are fun and shocking kills with a great opening sequence. There aren’t many other standouts, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be a fun time at the movies. I recommend a matinee showing with a bowl of popcorn.