Eli Roth fulfills a 16-year-old promise with “Thanksgiving,” the feature adaptation of his 2007 mock trailer from “Grindhouse.” Diverging from contemporary horror trends, the film avoids both Blumhouse jump-scare tactics and A24-style elevated storytelling, embracing the unfiltered nastiness reminiscent of ’80s classics like “Mother’s Day.” Against the backdrop of a deadly Black Friday sale, the film cleverly satirizes consumerism’s chaos. A year later, a masked killer resembling Plymouth’s first governor terrorizes the town, targeting those tied to the earlier tragedy. The film introduces a diverse cast, balancing humor and horror while providing ample character depth. As the local sheriff investigates, Jessica, the store owner’s daughter, takes center stage in unraveling the mystery. The film maintains a delicate equilibrium of horror and comedy, featuring a charismatic killer embodying colonial symbolism. While the last third tests the balance between sadism and pacing, “Thanksgiving” emerges as a potential slasher genre revival, promising an entertaining experience that underscores Roth’s filmmaking prowess. Visit my flixer for more!

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