As a gamer with a deep-rooted love for all things horror and a knack for unraveling plot twists, I can confidently say that “Thanksgiving” is one of the most satisfying slasher movies to grace our screens in recent years. The film’s dedication to honoring classic slasher tropes while keeping the villain’s identity under wraps until the end is commendable.
The collaboration between Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez on “Grindhouse” may not have been a hit at the cinema, but it played a significant role in sparking the current trend of modern movies influenced by the seedy films of the past. This double feature even spawned mock trailers that later became complete films, such as “Machete,” “Hobo with a Shotgun,” and Eli Roth’s “Thanksgiving.” Each movie has its unique charm, but “Thanksgiving” distinguishes itself by potentially becoming a beloved holiday tradition for slasher fans.
Instead of attempting to reinvent the wheel for slasher movies, “Thanksgiving” instead pays homage to the key elements that make up most of them. However, it excels at maintaining the mystery surrounding the killer’s identity until the very end, while leading viewers to suspect multiple characters as potential perpetrators. Add in some grisly deaths and dark comedy, and you have all the ingredients for a top-notch slasher film. So, let’s delve into “Thanksgiving” and uncover the identity of the malevolent force at work.
What is 2023’s Thanksgiving horror movie about & is it based on a true story?
As a gamer immersed in this narrative, I find myself thrust into the chilling tale of “Thanksgiving,” where the enigmatic figure dressed as a Pilgrim, John Carver, lurks. A year after the chaotic Black Friday riot that left many casualties in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Carver started his deadly spree against the townsfolk. This murder mystery unfolds, with the goal of unmasking Carver’s true identity and understanding his connection to the riot, before more lives are claimed in a gruesome fashion. In my role, Jessica (Nell Verlaque), a high school student, joins forces with Sheriff Eric Newlon (Patrick Dempsey) in our shared quest for justice – a task that proves harder than we initially thought.
Eli Roth’s film “Thanksgiving” has an unusual backstory, yet it wasn’t inspired by any real-life killers terrorizing during the holiday season. Instead, the movie originated from Roth and co-writer Jeff Rendall, who grew up in the 1980s – a time when slasher movies were at their height – in a state where Thanksgiving is celebrated originally. Their goal was to create a horror movie revolving around this holiday. Mainly, “Thanksgiving” is a straightforward slasher film meant to deliver suspense, chills, and bloodshed. However, it also touches upon current social issues.
Initially conceived as a light-hearted horror concept, “Thanksgiving” drew inspiration from actual incidents later on. According to Roth, footage of Black Friday shoppers stampeding each other in pursuit of material possessions sparked the idea for the riot that triggers the murderer’s rampage in their film. It is hoped that this will serve as a cautionary tale, encouraging people to form orderly lines and show respect towards their fellow shoppers in future.
How does the Thanksgiving horror movie end & who was the killer?
The climax of “Thanksgiving” offers an unexpectedly bizarre yet captivating finale, filled with major surprises and tantalizing plot twists. It unfolds as Jessica’s loved ones are abducted and transported to John Carver’s lethal stronghold. Regrettably, not all of them escape the grim fate; Jessica’s stepmother, Kathleen (played by Karen Cliche), meets a grisly end as she is prepared and presented like a turkey, while her friend Evan (Tomaso Sanelli) suffers a gruesome demise during a live broadcast.
In the end, it’s found that Bobby (Jalen Thomas Brooks), Jessica’s former partner, is wearing the murderer’s disguise, leading many to believe he’s the perpetrator. However, Jessica uncovers a different truth when she realizes that Sheriff Newlon, not Bobby, was wearing the same pants as the killer in a past encounter. Eventually, the officer admits to the wrongdoings, confessing his desire for revenge following the Black Friday riots where he lost his family. He holds Jessica’s family responsible, as her father owns the store where he tragically lost his lover and their unborn child during that incident.
Bobby and Jessica join forces with the intention of overthrowing the sheriff and reestablishing tranquility in Plymouth; however, this seems like wishful thinking, as Newlon’s corpse vanishes when officials arrive to retrieve it. This suggests that he has somehow survived and may cause further chaos at a later time, laying the groundwork for an upcoming sequel you might want to look out for.
Did Patrick Dempsey actually play the killer?
In the movie “Thanksgiving,” it was Patrick Dempsey who portrayed the masked villain, but interestingly, he wore the disguise exclusively during the scene where his character’s stepmother, Kathleen, was presented as the main course at dinner. The remaining scenes featuring the killer were actually performed by stuntman Alex Armbruster, a logical choice considering that most of those sequences involved action and posed significant risks to film.
In summary, Dempsey’s portrayal as a villain in his latest role might have contradicted his image as a charming, handsome hero, which he had built up through shows like “Grey’s Anatomy.” Interestingly, this change was evident during the release of “Thanksgiving,” a time when Dempsey won the title of Sexiest Man Alive. Roth, in an interview with People, stated that their collaboration revealed Dempsey’s darker persona, and he added, “I believe he has effectively laid McDreamy to rest, but this new role is like pouring gasoline on the McDreamy legend.
Simultaneously, many viewers might find themselves in agreement that Sheriff Newlon stands among the most alluring slasher villains, and this appeal is largely due to Dempsey’s captivating charm. Consequently, it seems unlikely that the actor portraying a character who cooks humans for Thanksgiving dinner could deter his fans from harboring affection towards him.
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2024-10-13 04:00