Eli Roth has long been a purveyor of the horror genre, pushing boundaries with the likes of “Cabin Fever” and “Hostel.” But with his latest venture, “Thanksgiving,” Roth seems to be channeling the spirit of ‘90s slasher films, those cult classics that gleefully balanced terror with a knowing wink to their audience.
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Marking a triumphant return to the slasher genre, Eli Roth’s ‘Thanksgiving’ has made a considerable impact at the box office, slashing its way to a $12 million worldwide debut. The R-rated horror spectacle, crafted on a modest budget of $15 million, has already raked in $10.2 million domestically. With its current trajectory, it’s poised to carve past its production costs imminently. Garnering an 83% fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film is a hit among fans and critics, hailing its visceral thrills and old-school slasher charm. As the Thanksgiving holiday looms, anticipation swells on whether the film will sustain its box office momentum.
From a faux trailer to a feature film, “Thanksgiving” has been over 15 years in the making. Its inception as part of 2007’s “Grindhouse” has evolved into a fully-fledged homage to the slasher genre, set to release on November 17, 2023. Roth aims to capture the essence of holiday-themed horror classics, promising a film rich with dark humor and the kind of iconic kills that fans discuss in hushed, reverent tones.
The film unfolds in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where a Black Friday riot and a Thanksgiving-inspired killer sets the stage for a harrowing holiday. Roth, in a featurette, has expressed his childhood dream of crafting a film akin to “Scream” or “Halloween” – one that combines spine-chilling scares with the fun of a who-done-it. “Growing up I dreamed of writing a slasher movie…that’s also fun with a fantastic kill, and this is it,” Roth remarks, hinting at a film that’s as much an engaging mystery as it is a bloody thrill ride.
“Thanksgiving” boasts a cast that blends familiar faces with emerging talent. Rick Hoffman, Gina Gershon, and Patrick Dempsey headline, bringing a mix of horror, drama, and cult classic credentials to the table. The film is teased to have moments that will have audiences gasping and applauding in equal measure, with Roth himself taking pride in crafting death scenes that aspire to be memorable – aiming for each to be a “classic kill.”
But “Thanksgiving” is more than just a series of gruesome deaths; Roth has woven a backstory that explores the town’s dark relationship with the masked killer. It’s a film that doesn’t just aim to shock but also to provide a narrative depth that elevates it above the standard fare.
Growing up I dreamed of writing a slasher movie...that’s also fun with a fantastic kill, and this is it.
Toony Terrors Thanksgiving John Carver from NECA
Toony Terrors Thanksgiving John Carver from NECA
As “Thanksgiving” approaches its release, it enters a cultural landscape where horror is more popular than ever. It joins a lineage of horror that taps into societal fears and the dark underbelly of festive occasions. The film is poised to make a statement on the commercialization of holidays, with its Black Friday inciting incident transforming a day of thanks into one of terror.
The choice of Thanksgiving as the backdrop is a pointed commentary on how even our most cherished holidays are not immune to the darkness that horror so adeptly taps into. With Roth at the helm, the film is expected to be a blend of nostalgia and modern horror sensibilities – a potential staple for horror fans looking for their next fix after the Halloween season winds down.
“Thanksgiving” represents Roth’s ambition to create a defining piece of horror cinema. “This has to be a movie that if I never make another film, it doesn’t matter – I made this one, and that’s enough,” Roth says, encapsulating the film’s importance to him. It’s a passion project that has finally come to fruition, and Roth is ready to share it with the world.
In a time when the horror genre continues to push boundaries and explore new terrains, Eli Roth’s “Thanksgiving” seems ready to carve its name into the annals of horror history. For fans eager to get a taste of Roth’s latest creation, the official trailer provides just enough flavor to whet the appetite without spoiling the full course that’s to come.
This Thanksgiving, the table is set, the turkey is carved, and horror fans are invited to feast on what promises to be a deliciously dark addition to the pantheon of slasher films. As Roth puts it, “This is the kind of movie you go see on opening night…just go and scream!” And scream we shall.
Keywords: Eli Roth, Thanksgiving, slasher film, ’90s horror, classic horror, holiday horror, dark humor, Plymouth, Massachusetts, Black Friday, Rick Hoffman, Gina Gershon, Patrick Dempsey, horror fans, cinema history, cult classics.
