Thanksgiving Movie: A Feast of Terror You Didn’t See Coming
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| Pilgrim-style masked murderer in “Thanksgiving” By Courtesy TriStar Pictures |
Oh.. the slashers... my least favorite horror category, to be honest. However, when something fresh, creative, innovative hit the theaters I am down for it. So, let's talk about Thanksgiving (2023) now that it seems seasonally appropriate.
Starring actors like Patrick Dempsey, Addison Rae, and Rick Hoffman, it delivers a mix of suspense, gore, and dark humor. The story is set in a small town where Thanksgiving turns into a nightmare when a masked killer starts targeting its residents. While it’s a chilling tale, it also has moments of clever holiday-themed horror.
The Appetizer
Slasher movies became popular because they tap into primal fears, blending suspense, gore, and a sense of thrill. These films often feature a mysterious or unstoppable killer, making audiences feel both scared and excited as they watch characters try to survive. The genre originated in the 1960s and 1970s, drawing inspiration from earlier thrillers like Psycho (1960) by Alfred Hitchcock and Italian “giallo” films, which combined mystery and graphic violence.
Slashers reached peak popularity in the 1980s with iconic films like Halloween (1978), Friday the 13th (1980), and A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). These movies introduced memorable villains such as Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, and Freddy Krueger, who became cultural icons.
The appeal of slashers lies in their mix of fear and adrenaline, often tied to themes of morality, as the killers target characters who “break the rules.”
Thanksgiving originated as a fake movie trailer created by Eli Roth for the 2007 double-feature film Grindhouse, directed by Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez. The trailer was a parody of classic slasher films, filled with over-the-top violence and dark humor, designed to capture the gritty, low-budget feel of 1970s and 1980s horror movies. Fans loved the concept so much that Roth eventually turned the trailer into a full-length feature film, expanding the story and characters while keeping the same holiday-themed slasher vibe.
The Entrée
As someone who wasn’t born in the USA and has only recently started learning more about this holiday, I found the symbolism in this movie especially fascinating. The film cleverly transforms familiar Thanksgiving traditions—like turkeys, carving knives, and even dinner tables—into tools of terror.
This ironic twist turns the warmth and family-centered nature of the holiday into a chilling backdrop for violence.
The killer’s mask, resembling a pilgrim, ties the theme to the roots of Thanksgiving, hinting at the darker side of colonial history and creating an unsettling connection between the past and the present. The movie also plays with the idea of gratitude gone wrong, where the act of giving thanks is overshadowed by selfishness, betrayal, and survival instincts.
It transforms something as wholesome as Thanksgiving tradition into a blood-soaked nightmare.
The Dessert
Let’s be real—Thanksgiving isn’t the best movie out there, and I don't thunk it tries try to be. But it’s a fun movie. A fresh slasher that stands out because it’s not another remake. With a few good actors stepping outside their usual roles (and I am referring to Dr. McDreamy) it keeps things interesting.
If you’re looking for something entertaining and have some free time this weekend, grab some popcorn and check it out. It’s worth the laughs and thrills!
If you are interested in watch more slasher movies, take a look at this list:
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