What started out as an appetizer has been expanded into a full-course meal—with palatably bloody results. Frequently derided Hostel director Eli Roth originated the idea of Thanksgiving as a trailer in Quentin Tarantino’s 2007 Grindhouse. So like Hobo with a Shotgun before it, this takes a one-off joke and makes something to fill the gore-starved belly, if not the mind.
Set against the backdrop of the holiday in the historic town of Plymouth, Massachusetts, our story naturally begins at a mall on Black Friday. When an impatient mob forms outside a store, the scene gets (comically) bloody. Rick Hoffman, of Suits notoriety, plays the store’s owner, who values profits over the familial values of the holiday. Fast forward a year, and a killer masquerading as John Carver, the former governor of Plymouth Colony, emerges with a literal axe to grind. Identity and motive unknown, the killer begins his reign of terror on those present at the store that night, including Hoffman’s daughter Jessica (Nell Verlaque) and her high school friends.
Thanksgiving works so well because it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Through irony, humor and ham-fisted social commentary, it never feels overly cheesy because that’s partly the point. With over-the-top derisions of America’s consumerist and desensitized culture, the comedic moments hit well. And the gore follows suit, toeing the line between being unrealistically silly and lifelike enough to make you somewhat squeamish. What the film lacks in creativity or overt plot, it makes up for in style. As far as performances go, nobody mails it in. Most of the cast is young and fairly new to the scene, and fortunately for the actors, the film’s camp sensibilities are tailor-made for overacting. But credit is due to Verlaque, who delivers a subtle and charming performance in the lead role as our protagonist.
While there is a lot to like about this blood feast, a few missteps prevent it from reaching cult-classic status. At 105 minutes, it could stand to lose some fat. By the time we reach the third act, the plot begins to feel repetitive. Sure, the kills are fun to watch, but the cat and mouse game goes on slightly too long. Most importantly though, the ending falls somewhat flat. More critical to a murder mystery than an unexpected ending are details that matter. Here, they don’t: you never get more than what’s advertised. If the plot were as smart as its style and humor, it would have packed a heavier punch, taking it from the likes of Cocaine Bear to something more along the lines of the delicious The Menu. But the film is a step in the right direction for Roth, whose horror bona fides lost some of their bone-crunching flair with his tepid 2018 Death Wish reboot.
With a cozy setting and a time-honored horror plot served with a wink, Thanksgiving is a movie to flip on with a group of friends and a bottle of wine. If you’re looking for a thriller to warm your holiday spirits, you’ll gobble it up, if not ask for seconds.
Photo courtesy of TriStar Pictures
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