Thanksgiving (2023) || A Deliciously Wicked Experience

Judging from the title before venturing in, I was expecting a holiday thriller film whereby secrets of family members will be revealed, there will be an emotional moment, suspense and then a blissful reunion for a resolution but what I didn’t expect was the deliciously wicked experience it surprised me with. I was horrified and thrilled to my bones. Eli Roth, ^{I had to make a mental note of the name for this purpose,} the director of this film really brings to life a film that surprisingly balances humor, brutal kills and a slasher vibe that feels nostalgic yet fresh.

Synopsis(no spoilers)

Set in Plymouth, Massachusetts, the birthplace of Thanksgiving(according to the movie) Black Friday shopping riot ends in tragedy, with a few losing their lives. A year later, about the same time, a mysterious killer dressed as a twisted version of a pilgrim begins picking off townspeople who were present during the riot one by one.

The film centers on Jessica (Nell Verlaque), her friends, and family who find themselves in the crosshairs of the masked killer.

My Thoughts?

Exhales

Well, I know I’ve come across several puzzling films with masked killers and I’m probably supposed to have gotten used to the mystery but nope, this one kept me guessing, squirming and looking over my shoulders until the final act.

One thing this movie gets absolutely right is its tone. It’s self-aware without being annoying, funny without being a parody and of course gruesome without feeling pointless. I give it to the director. He gave me exactly what I craved for; creative kills, relentless tension and enough gore. I winced. Some death scenes are so outrageous they almost demand a nervous laugh afterward.

If I’m being honest, I really don’t care about the cast. Although they’re decent, all I cared about was the story line. I was there for it. The suspense, the kills, etc. No character really caught my fancy save for Milo the guy who was main character in Disney’s Zombie. Not because his role was significant or his character was well developed but because it felt good seeing him in another film that’s not a Disney production.

Where this stumbles a little is in its pacing. Always is with all these films. The middle section drags slightly while the movie tries to build up mystery around the killer’s identity.

That being said, this film is a gruesome, bloody and darkly funny holiday slasher that hits all the right notes. I highly recommend but not to younger viewers.

Rating: 4/5