Summary
Sometimes, an old dogneedsto learn new tricks, as is the case with notorious horror filmmaker Eli Roth. The Massachusetts native began his career with 2002’s horror comedyCabin Fever, which introduced the world to his fratty sensibilities as a writer/director. Made on a budget of $1.5 million, the film grossed $30.2 million and quickly became a cult classic, with one of its biggest fans being none other than Quentin Tarantino who called Roth “the future of horror.” Jump to present day and Roth is still up to his usual antics with the upcoming holiday slasherThanksgiving.
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The House with a Clock in its Walls(2018)
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The origins ofThanksgivingcan be found in Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez’s 2007 double featureGrindhouse, which included amock trailer directed by Rothfor a 70s exploitation picture about a killer in a pilgrim costume terrorizing a small town. Roth intended to develop a feature-length after the press tour of 2010’sThe Last Exorcism, his first effort in a producer-only role. In 2012, he announced that he was going to collaborate with writers Jon Watts and Christopher D. Ford after producing their 2014 supernatural horror indieClown(Watt’s directorial debut before he helmed Tom Holland’sSpider-Mantrilogy). Then after almost a decade of little to no traction on the project,Deadline reported earlier this yearthat Roth would be handing over the reshoots for his upcomingBorderlandsadaptation toDeadpooldirector Tim Miller asThanksgivingwas finally set for production with the aid of Spyglass Media Group and TriStar Pictures.
What is Thanksgiving about?
On Thanksgiving night, civilians from a small town in New England cause a Black Friday riot that ends in tragedy and spawns a pilgrim-suited killer named John Carver who is out for vengeance against the materialistic transgressors. His victims range from seemingly ordinary waitresses to a group of social media-savvy high schoolers whom he threatens on Instagram, no less. With fear on the rise, the town sheriff must now uncover who is responsible for the grisly murders whiletownsfolk are being tenderized, sliced, and roastedduring their annual holiday celebration. The film stars Patrick Dempsey (Ferrari), Addison Rae (He’s All That), and Gina Gershon (Roth’s upcomingBorderlands).
When is Thanksgiving in Theaters?
TriStar Pictures will releaseThanksgivingonly in theaters on November 17, appeasing Roth’s desire to keep the cinematic experience alive even if it is for a silly B-movie. There have been plenty of micro-budget Thanksgiving-themed horror comedies like 2007’sThanksKillingor 2021’sBlack Friday, but Roth’s latest will surely be the most high-profile entry in this extremely niche sub-subgenre. While the trailer forThanksgivingdoes not feature much of a comedic tone, the writer/director’s previous works would indicate that his signature humor will be present.
Understanding Eli Roth
Tarantino immediately saw potential in Roth not just as a filmmaker but also as an actor, eventually casting him in his now-famous role of"The Bear Jew" in 2009’sInglourious Basterds. Tarantino was also an executive producer on eachHostelfilm and has attended many of Roth’s premieres purely out of fandom and friendship. Anyone who has heard them speak will surely understand why the two have such an affinity for each other, however, it is important to note that Roth’s work is not quite up to the same level as Tarantino’s.
While both filmmakers often work with wisecracking characters, irreverent humor, and extreme violence, Roth has predominantly made his films for younger audiences while Tarantino is more interested in achieving universal appeal.Cabin Fever,Hostel, Hostel: Part II, The Green Inferno,and even his strange attempt at family fare inThe House with a Clock in its Wallsare all films that have dramatic elements in them yet do not take themselves seriously. The best example of this would beThe Green Inferno, a film about a group of virtuous college students who are captured by a tribe of cannibals; a terrifying premise that is, for some reason, juxtaposed with absurd comedic relief.
If someone has yet to become a fan of Roth and his films, chances are that their minds will not be changed byThanksgivingdespite its intriguing murder mystery aspect, something none of his past work has had. But those who are fans of the horror aficionado will likely get everything they hope for as Roth prides himself on being faithful to his favorite genre, having said that his lifelong hope is to make a film as iconic as 1996’sScream,which explains his foray into murder mystery.
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