Mysterious Carnage Unleashed by a Youthful Mastermind on Thanksgiving
Eli Roth's childhood imagination gave birth to Thanksgiving, a horror masterpiece filled with brutal kills Discover how this visionary director has been planning this terrifying feast since he was just 12 years old
Eli Roth's Thanksgiving rejuvenated the slasher horror genre, reminiscent of Scream and infused with elements of Halloween. The savagery and graphic violence depicted in Thanksgiving initially sprouted from Roth's imagination at the tender age of 12.
In the seemingly idyllic town of Plymouth, Massachusetts, the aftermath of a disastrous Black Friday incident from the previous year continues to haunt its residents. As Thanksgiving looms nearer, a deranged serial killer emerges from the shadows, donning a sinister John Carver mask. Jessica (portrayed by Nell Verlaque) soon becomes aware that John Carvers is relentlessly hunting down all individuals connected to the Black Friday massacre.
Thanksgiving, as reviewed by Dexerto, was a horrifying feast that left even the most experienced fans shocked. Renowned horror genius Roth, known for his classics like Hostel, delivered a movie filled with gut-wrenching murders and disturbing scenes. This film undoubtedly changes one's perception of a simple roasted turkey. But, how did Roth conceive the intricate and macabre killings featured in Thanksgiving? These ideas were actually planned long before he gained fame as a horror director.
Eli Roth has been planning Thanksgiving since childhood
During an interview, the director disclosed that since the age of 12, he and Jeff Rendell had meticulously plotted a series of gripping fatalities. However, they were lacking a coherent storyline to complement their deadly visions.
It's truly astonishing to consider that Roth, at such a tender age, has conceived macabre horror concepts. In typical detective dramas, this serves as a warning sign that a person requires assistance before maturing into a relentless murderer.
Roth expressed his long-standing desire to create a horror movie centered around Thanksgiving, dating back to his childhood. He and his best friend, Jeff Rendell, had grown up together and bonded over their shared love for slasher films. As they realized that every holiday had already been explored in the genre, they were inspired by the significance of Thanksgiving in Massachusetts, where they resided. Thus, they harbored a lifelong ambition to bring a Thanksgiving-themed horror movie to life.
In an interview with Collider, Roth admitted that while they had ideas for gruesome killings, they lacked a concrete plot. However, around a decade ago, they stumbled upon a wealth of outrageous videos depicting Black Friday chaos. This discovery became the foundation for their film "Thanksgiving," serving as the catalyst for the murders committed by the character John Carver.
"It actually explores themes of consumerism, greed, and the panic of missing out on a desired item, which spills over into a holiday that is meant to celebrate gratitude for what we already have, such as our health and family. However, within a short span of two hours, people find themselves trampling over others to acquire a flat-screen TV," explained Roth.
In terms of his favorite kills, Roth finds the corn cob in the ears scene particularly entertaining. "I aimed to create a enjoyable movie rather than a test of endurance or a punishing experience. I wanted the kills to be both terrifying and satisfyingly gory, but ultimately leave the audience with a big smile on their face," shared the director of Thanksgiving.
Read Dexerto’s review of Thanksgiving here, and why Thanksgiving could bring back Patrick Dempsey to Scream 7 here.
Editor's P/S
Eli Roth's Thanksgiving is a truly unique and terrifying film that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled. The film's plot is simple but effective, and the characters are well-developed and relatable. But what really sets Thanksgiving apart from other horror films is the level of gore and violence. Roth does not shy away from showing the brutal reality of violence, and the film's many kills are both shocking and unsettling.
One of the things that makes Thanksgiving so effective is that it taps into our collective fear of the unknown. The film's killer, John Carver, is a completely unpredictable and unstoppable force of nature. He seems to take pleasure in killing, and he shows no mercy to his victims. This makes him one of the most terrifying villains in recent horror history.
Thanksgiving is a must-see for fans of horror cinema. It is a well-made and terrifying film that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.
