464 reviews
It wasn't bad but it wasn't good.
I was quite surprised yet happy to see a thanksgiving horror film getting such high praise. I went in with no expectations and only saw the trailer possibly once. Let me start by saying that this film has quite graphic kills and inventive kills at that. This film starts solid with an extremely dramatic opening and then follows the basic slasher whodunnit outline. I didn't find any of the characters interesting nor do I remember a single person's name so it was kinda hard to stay invested when I don't have a connection to anyone.
After the killer is revealed the movie then rushes to the end. Not sure if the director wanted to keep the run time short or if they just didn't know how to end the film but it literally sprints to the end. If you're looking for a cheesy horror movie and just watching for fun this is for you. I just need a little more substance.
After the killer is revealed the movie then rushes to the end. Not sure if the director wanted to keep the run time short or if they just didn't know how to end the film but it literally sprints to the end. If you're looking for a cheesy horror movie and just watching for fun this is for you. I just need a little more substance.
- nickryan-44535
- Nov 18, 2023
- Permalink
Super Fun
There were so many opportunities for this movie to go wrong. There is nothing better than a painfully stupid concept well executed to the point that it is actually good. Thanksgiving is the only Thanksgiving slasher movie I can think of. It is really enjoyable and, somewhat, grisly in parts. Eli Roth has a a unique and twisted mind. Roth does a great job in all of his movies tempering his grotesque imagery and thematic content with humor. This is no exception. The cast is good and strong- had it been a no name Director the film would not have attracted so many named stars. Patrick Dempsey is very good. I liked it.
- tkdlifemagazine
- Nov 18, 2023
- Permalink
Not terrible actually
Going into this movie with such low expectations had me blown away. I thought it was gonna be terrible, but it was actually one of the best slasher movies that have come out in recent years. The plot is simple, characters are simple, and the kills are amazing. At the beginning of this movie almost none of the characters are likeable. And to be honest, they don't get likeable until maybe halfway through the film. The acting isn't great either, Patrick Dempsey(the sheriff) was easily the best of the whole cast. There's also so really corny lines and cheesy moments but it's a slasher and they always come with that. The highlight of this entire movie is the way characters are killed off because it's straight up brutal. The movie doesn't shy away from showing blood and guts, and from what we could see only maybe two of the deaths are CGI, the rest looked like practical effects, and there's so much death. From the start of the movie you can just tell it's gonna be a wild ride. The ending was kind of weird and not at all what you expect, I guess kind of setting up a sequel, not really sure actually. But definitely a fun movie to enjoy if you have nothing better to watch.
- pvrb-57555
- Nov 18, 2023
- Permalink
A Predictable, Non-Predictable Thriller for Horror Fans
For a horror movie fan like me, I predicted this more than I predicted Scream VI. Quite obvious who it was when the car scene happened. Excepted.
The Black Friday scene was my favorite scene. There was a lot of gore, and the scene maybe even made me giggle a time or two. It was constructed with care, and the deaths were on point, I also enjoyed the killers motive. It made sense and it was a smart point.
I also enjoyed the cat scene. It gives some kind of feeling for the killer that makes you feel sad for him. If you don't understand what I mean, then ignore this.
Overall I would give this a 6.8 out of ten.
The Black Friday scene was my favorite scene. There was a lot of gore, and the scene maybe even made me giggle a time or two. It was constructed with care, and the deaths were on point, I also enjoyed the killers motive. It made sense and it was a smart point.
I also enjoyed the cat scene. It gives some kind of feeling for the killer that makes you feel sad for him. If you don't understand what I mean, then ignore this.
Overall I would give this a 6.8 out of ten.
- aidenshorror
- Nov 27, 2023
- Permalink
Bad but good
I'm trying to decide if this was satire or an actual horror.
The acting was pretty bad and the lines were very cheesy but for some reason I couldn't stop watching it. It was like a car wreck , Lol - it's across between. "I know what you did last summer "and "urban legends."
The Boston accents were glitchy and the acting was absolutely terrible.
. It was nice to see a small Ontario towns in this film. I had to close my eyes a few times because of the Gore. I don't think I'll be having turkey for a while. Nice to see Patrick Dempsey in something albeit cheesey . If you want cheese, bad acting and gore - this is for you
.
The acting was pretty bad and the lines were very cheesy but for some reason I couldn't stop watching it. It was like a car wreck , Lol - it's across between. "I know what you did last summer "and "urban legends."
The Boston accents were glitchy and the acting was absolutely terrible.
. It was nice to see a small Ontario towns in this film. I had to close my eyes a few times because of the Gore. I don't think I'll be having turkey for a while. Nice to see Patrick Dempsey in something albeit cheesey . If you want cheese, bad acting and gore - this is for you
.
- ea_morrison
- Feb 23, 2024
- Permalink
Thanksgiving I found very uneven.
The story was interesting with a logical villain, but it wants to have it both ways, being either a scary slasher movie and a disgusting, forced horror movie. Some of the dialog was funny, but the violence was frustrating. I couldn't tell if some of the deaths were intended to scare me or just gross me out. It seems Eli Roth intended horror, laughs and senseless deaths. I'm split on the movie because there were entertaining scenes and forced scenes and the characters were so laid back as victims. They didn't seem as scared as they should. Didn't see any of his movies before; aside from the fake Grindhouse trailer of Thanksgiving.
HOW?!
- powerpuffg-67678
- Dec 28, 2023
- Permalink
For a modern-day slasher, it doesn't get much more enjoyable than this
I attended an advance screening of Thanksgiving (2023) this evening. The plot revolves around the infamous town of Plymouth, Massachusetts, grappling with a tragic Black Friday massacre. As the locals gear up to celebrate Thanksgiving a year later, someone decides to deliver festive justice to those responsible.
Directed by Eli Roth (Cabin Fever), the film stars Patrick Dempsey (Grey's Anatomy), Addison Rae (He's All That), Gina Gershon (Killer Joe), Nell Verlaque (The Marijuana Conspiracy), and Rick Hoffman (Ballers).
The movie is truly remarkable. I found myself smiling from the opening scene to the closing credits. It captures a 90s slasher vibe with a plethora of characters who could be the killer, a high school class facing peril, and a relatable motive for the antagonist. The kill scenes are all top-notch, earning a solid 10/10, with a perfect blend of creativity, gore, blood splatter, and more gore. The Black Friday and parade sequences are standout moments, eliciting cheers from tonight's audience. Noteworthy are the elite decapitation scenes and a sequence reminiscent of Heath Ledger's Joker in The Dark Knight. For a modern-day slasher, it doesn't get much more enjoyable than this. I'd give this an 8/10 and highly recommend it.
Directed by Eli Roth (Cabin Fever), the film stars Patrick Dempsey (Grey's Anatomy), Addison Rae (He's All That), Gina Gershon (Killer Joe), Nell Verlaque (The Marijuana Conspiracy), and Rick Hoffman (Ballers).
The movie is truly remarkable. I found myself smiling from the opening scene to the closing credits. It captures a 90s slasher vibe with a plethora of characters who could be the killer, a high school class facing peril, and a relatable motive for the antagonist. The kill scenes are all top-notch, earning a solid 10/10, with a perfect blend of creativity, gore, blood splatter, and more gore. The Black Friday and parade sequences are standout moments, eliciting cheers from tonight's audience. Noteworthy are the elite decapitation scenes and a sequence reminiscent of Heath Ledger's Joker in The Dark Knight. For a modern-day slasher, it doesn't get much more enjoyable than this. I'd give this an 8/10 and highly recommend it.
- kevin_robbins
- Nov 15, 2023
- Permalink
A decent stalker, slasher
I love horror movies, specifically my favorites are stalker/killer/slasher types.
I wasn't sure how Eli Roth would handle this type of movie because he's really more known for his "gore" rather than "run from the killer" style of films. Although I enjoy his dialogue in his former scripts and have good things to say about the hostel series, I was still a little skeptical.
My final verdict is a good one. I liked it. I thought the story was good, it was entertaining, and the killer scenes were pretty well done. I like how he inserted just enough humor to make me laugh, but didn't take it over the top. The jokes were subtle and just right.
The kills were pretty good too... knowing Eli Roth's past resume, I was afraid that he would take the gore too far... but thankfully he didn't.
A pretty satisfying horror holiday outing... I wouldn't mind a sequel now either.
I wasn't sure how Eli Roth would handle this type of movie because he's really more known for his "gore" rather than "run from the killer" style of films. Although I enjoy his dialogue in his former scripts and have good things to say about the hostel series, I was still a little skeptical.
My final verdict is a good one. I liked it. I thought the story was good, it was entertaining, and the killer scenes were pretty well done. I like how he inserted just enough humor to make me laugh, but didn't take it over the top. The jokes were subtle and just right.
The kills were pretty good too... knowing Eli Roth's past resume, I was afraid that he would take the gore too far... but thankfully he didn't.
A pretty satisfying horror holiday outing... I wouldn't mind a sequel now either.
- tankboy-46851
- Nov 17, 2023
- Permalink
I'm at a loss
I'm so confused about how this has a decent rating. This movie was painfully boring and predictable. The acting was absolutely atrocious. The story was as bland as it comes. I love cheesy horror movies, but this doesn't even count as one. I can't tell you how many times I have seen all of the 80s slasher flicks. I will binge watch them over and over. But I will never watch this one again. It's just so bad. I can't even laugh at it. Honestly, I'm insulted that anyone would put something out that is so bad. And that people would review it so well. I only went to see this movie based off of the reviews. It seems like people have lost touch with what makes a good movie.
Had a lot of fun with it!
Honestly this movie is one of those either you love it or you hate it type of movies. It's a modern day slasher that's nostalgic, campy, gory, and fast-paced. If you're a fan of gore and over the top death scenes then you'll likely enjoy this movie. I'm a big fan of the Chucky movies (especially the later ones) as well as the more recent series and that's kind of the vibe this movie gives off when it comes to tone for me. I laughed a lot while watching this movie and cringed at just about all of the deaths. It's also very reminiscent of I Know What You Did Last Summer and Scream. If you enjoy any of the movies I've mentioned and you need something to do and you're not a horror snob, you'll likely have fun with this one! :)
Carver by Name...
What's not to like and love about Black Friday, a time when you can let your cares go astray, a time to binge on want and waste, as if your soul has been debased, pushing, punching, thrusting, shoving is great play. That is until a year has passed and in walks John, then incidents take place and folk are gone, mutilation may come first, he has a terrible blood thirst, if this was a competition, he's champion. Although it's strange as people die town life goes on, he could slay a dozen more no sense of wrong, little panic on the streets, there seems to be a subtle peace, because the Plymouth folk, just won't be put upon.
No Way He Could Of Been The Killer
- johnnyutah-58721
- Nov 25, 2023
- Permalink
so many A-holes
It's Thanksgiving in Plymouth, Massachusetts. More importantly, it's Black Friday in RightMart. A large crowd has gathered and waiting for the opening. Eric Newlon (Patrick Dempsey) is the Sheriff. Thomas Wright (Rick Hoffman) is the greedy store owner. His daughter Jessica Wright and her friends are allowed into the store before the opening. It starts a riot and people die in the ensuing chaos. It's a year later and nobody has been brought to justice. Thomas is doing another sale despite a feared repeat of the incident. A masked serial killer is on the loose.
This is an Eli Roth horror. There are so many A-hole characters. Then I remember that it's an Eli Roth horror. Of course, it's filled with A-hole characters. Here's the thing. This is actually not that bad despite some ridiculous ideas. First, Black Friday is no longer this anymore with all the internet shopping. I don't care about these characters. Their deaths mean very little to me. They are cannon fodder for the meat grinder. I do really like the oven and the dinner although her hair should be burnt off. As for the murder mystery, it's fine. I was hoping for someone else, but the reveal is not as surprising as Eli probably wants. There is plenty of gore and it's a good Eli Roth horror.
This is an Eli Roth horror. There are so many A-hole characters. Then I remember that it's an Eli Roth horror. Of course, it's filled with A-hole characters. Here's the thing. This is actually not that bad despite some ridiculous ideas. First, Black Friday is no longer this anymore with all the internet shopping. I don't care about these characters. Their deaths mean very little to me. They are cannon fodder for the meat grinder. I do really like the oven and the dinner although her hair should be burnt off. As for the murder mystery, it's fine. I was hoping for someone else, but the reveal is not as surprising as Eli probably wants. There is plenty of gore and it's a good Eli Roth horror.
- SnoopyStyle
- Dec 19, 2023
- Permalink
Dinner is served!
Eli Roth's "Thanksgiving" is based on a mock trailer from 2007's "Grindhouse"*. As Roth loves to show some of the most grotesque things imaginable, this movie gives us the goods. It's got some of the most shocking kills that I've ever witnessed onscreen.
As it happens, I had just learned of John Carver a few days before seeing this, having watched the 1952 movie "Plymouth Adventure", about the Pilgrims' journey across the ocean (as you may have suspected, it was one of the most inaccurate movies ever). Imagine how shocked the Pilgrims - all of them religious fundamentalists - would've been to learn that one of their leaders would get used like this.
All in all, a truly fun movie. A nice counterweight to the overly wholesome things people do for the holiday. In other words, I'm thankful that this movie got made.
*Roth, a friend of Quentin Tarantino, filmed the mock trailer as a favor to him. Tarantino later cast Roth in "Inglourious Basterds" as the Bear Jew, who enjoys bashing in Nazis' heads.
As it happens, I had just learned of John Carver a few days before seeing this, having watched the 1952 movie "Plymouth Adventure", about the Pilgrims' journey across the ocean (as you may have suspected, it was one of the most inaccurate movies ever). Imagine how shocked the Pilgrims - all of them religious fundamentalists - would've been to learn that one of their leaders would get used like this.
All in all, a truly fun movie. A nice counterweight to the overly wholesome things people do for the holiday. In other words, I'm thankful that this movie got made.
*Roth, a friend of Quentin Tarantino, filmed the mock trailer as a favor to him. Tarantino later cast Roth in "Inglourious Basterds" as the Bear Jew, who enjoys bashing in Nazis' heads.
- lee_eisenberg
- Nov 19, 2023
- Permalink
If you put SCREAM, HALLOWEEN and even, FINAL DESTINATION into a CuisinArt and hit puree you'd get this by-the-numbers, all-the-tropes genre flick served on a silver platter
THANKSGIVING (2023) **1/2 Patrick Dempsey, Neli Verlaque, Rick Hoffman, Milo Manheim, Addison Rae, Karen Cliche, Shailyn Griffin, Jenna Warren, Mika Amonsen, Gabriel Davenport, Joe Delfin, Gina Gershon. Patient horror fans have waited 16 yrs from its GRINDHOUSE teaser 'trailer' and Eli Roth FINALLY delivers its holiday centered slasher flick with dank élan and plenty of second helpings of gore with the vengeance seeking John Carver masked killer a year after a Black Friday melee resulted with deadly results. While the characters are cookie cutter ass-hats, douchebags and cowards the stalking and menacing echoes Craven, Carpenter and yes, even DePalma in each dispatching. If you put SCREAM, HALLOWEEN and even, FINAL DESTINATION into a CuisinArt and hit puree you'd get this by-the-numbers, all-the-tropes genre flick served on a silver platter (and if they do the inevitable sequel I suggest the tagline of "And This Time We DIDN'T Forget the Gravy!")
- george.schmidt
- Nov 17, 2023
- Permalink
Mind numbingly STUPID
- natashafitzsimons
- Nov 27, 2023
- Permalink
I never envisioned this film being so good
We actually got it. It took a long time but we finally got a 'Thanksgiving' movie based on the infamous 'Grindhouse' trailer from 2007. I always liked to imagine what this film would actually look like. In all of the ways I envisioned it though, I never foresaw it being as coherent and well put together as this film ultimately was. This movie was a blast.
The first thing to note is that the film is absolutely brutal. They haven't toned things down from the original trailer at all. They have committed to the concept and the film is that much better off for it. Like most Eli Roth films it feels like nothing is off limits.
I was pleasantly surprised to find the film was done in a whodunit style. The mystery, and not knowing what characters could and could not be trusted, added another layer to the film and worked really well.
When we first meet the characters, and in particular the teenage characters, I was a little worried they were going to be extremely unlikable, as is usually the case in these types of films. As the film went on though most, if not all, of them grew on me. And by the end of the film I actually cared about their fate.
'Thanksgiving' is going to go down as one of my most pleasant surprises of 2023 for me. It was everything I wanted and more. 9/10.
The first thing to note is that the film is absolutely brutal. They haven't toned things down from the original trailer at all. They have committed to the concept and the film is that much better off for it. Like most Eli Roth films it feels like nothing is off limits.
I was pleasantly surprised to find the film was done in a whodunit style. The mystery, and not knowing what characters could and could not be trusted, added another layer to the film and worked really well.
When we first meet the characters, and in particular the teenage characters, I was a little worried they were going to be extremely unlikable, as is usually the case in these types of films. As the film went on though most, if not all, of them grew on me. And by the end of the film I actually cared about their fate.
'Thanksgiving' is going to go down as one of my most pleasant surprises of 2023 for me. It was everything I wanted and more. 9/10.
- jtindahouse
- Nov 15, 2023
- Permalink
One of the surprises of the year.
Not sure what people are watching
I'm a little stunned by the positivity of the reviews I've seen. Thanksgiving has some good surrounded by mostly bad. I'll start with the few positives. It's mostly well-made from a technical perspective. I loved the scenes of carnage and chaos. And all of the kills made my jaw drop. It doesn't hold back.
Everything outside of the kill scenes is bad. I wish they leaned more into the dark fun slasher vibes. Instead they try to be serious, which magnifies how bad, bland and dumb the rest of the movie is. And while the mystery is intriguing and unpredictable, the reveal isn't even a tiny bit satisfying.
This will probably be more enjoyable if you haven't seen many movies. (1 viewing, 12/19/2023)
Everything outside of the kill scenes is bad. I wish they leaned more into the dark fun slasher vibes. Instead they try to be serious, which magnifies how bad, bland and dumb the rest of the movie is. And while the mystery is intriguing and unpredictable, the reveal isn't even a tiny bit satisfying.
This will probably be more enjoyable if you haven't seen many movies. (1 viewing, 12/19/2023)
It's like Halloween is still going on.
Eli Roth is a genius! This is some of Roth's best work. The social commentary on Black Friday was well played and Thanksgiving has some of the best gory kills I ever seen. I was bursting out of my seat watching some people get killed and other deaths I felt bad for even though they were not great people. It's just that no one deserved to die the way Roth had some of these folks taken out.
Plus it was witty. Thanksgiving took some stabs (pun intended) at itself and it was funny.
Defiantly a worth wild horror flick. Felt like I been waiting 16 years for it sense that trailer in Grindhouse and it did not disappoint.
Plus it was witty. Thanksgiving took some stabs (pun intended) at itself and it was funny.
Defiantly a worth wild horror flick. Felt like I been waiting 16 years for it sense that trailer in Grindhouse and it did not disappoint.
- subxerogravity
- Nov 18, 2023
- Permalink
Nastier than the usual slasher
Fairly basic but still a fun(ny) time
IMDB should add comedy to this movie's genres because it's much funnier than it is scary or thrilling. All the kills (with the exception of perhaps one) are strongly telegraphed by the camerawork and sound design. Who the killer would end up being was quite obvious to me about halfway through, but the mystery isn't really the point of this movie. You all know that the reason to see this movie is for the gory kills, and Eli Roth certainly delivers on that point even if the rest of the movie felt pretty textbook. Grab your family and friends to go see this for a fun dessert right after your Thanksgiving dinner!
Thank you for the music...
I was so hesitant to warch it, that's why I went for it on its third day of release, otherwise I would been the first in line on its premiere. And to be honest, It was just a torture watching Hostel and Cabin Fever. But surprisingly it's one of the best horror movies of 2023 and the best of Eli Roth so far. Damn, it was unbelievably good. Not pretentious at all, very simple premise, somehow a stereotype but so original in its own way. Solid script, great actings from some newcomers, magnificent shots and a surprisingly great direction of Eli Roth. To me, it's a new beginning for Eli and a requiem for movies like Scream!
A totally fresh breath to slasher genre!
A totally fresh breath to slasher genre!
It's the humor that lifts this "horror" up...
Cheaply made, with cheap special effects and a bunch of unkown B-actors, but there is still something to like about this flick...
The good: I love it when a horror doesnt take itself too seriously and basically is a sort of a parody on horror movies in general, with lots of humor packaged in a lighthearted way, even during the many GROSS scenes where meat gets cut of someone's body.
However gross this movie is at certain moments, it never gets really scary though, but that is the whole point of this lighthearted horror movie. It's a cheap thrill, but a very well made cheap thrill with some good laughs.
Recommended for those who simply want to be entertained with some cheap thrills with lots of humor. NOT recommended for those who might (wrongly) expect to see a (REALLY) scary movie...
The good: I love it when a horror doesnt take itself too seriously and basically is a sort of a parody on horror movies in general, with lots of humor packaged in a lighthearted way, even during the many GROSS scenes where meat gets cut of someone's body.
However gross this movie is at certain moments, it never gets really scary though, but that is the whole point of this lighthearted horror movie. It's a cheap thrill, but a very well made cheap thrill with some good laughs.
Recommended for those who simply want to be entertained with some cheap thrills with lots of humor. NOT recommended for those who might (wrongly) expect to see a (REALLY) scary movie...