Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

Year: 2023

Runtime: 1 h 47 m

Language: English

Director: Eli Roth

Echo Score: 68

Budget: $15M

HorrorMysteryThriller

A wave of terror descends on Plymouth during the Thanksgiving season. Following the frenzy of Black Friday, a brutal killing spree unfolds, shattering the town's sense of peace. As the holiday celebrations begin, a sinister force unleashes a trail of bloodshed, leaving residents in fear and investigators struggling to stop the escalating violence.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Thanksgiving yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Thanksgiving (2023)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Thanksgiving (2023). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Contemporary

The events of the movie transpire in a modern-day setting, focused around the Thanksgiving holiday. This period is characterized by the commercialization of the holiday, with Black Friday creating intense competition and chaos among shoppers. The narrative unfolds over the span of a year, following the repercussions of a tragic event.

Location

Plymouth, Massachusetts

Plymouth, Massachusetts, is known for its rich history and as a focal point of the Thanksgiving holiday. The RightMart superstore serves as a central hub for the community, especially during the chaotic Black Friday sales. The juxtaposition of festivities and horror during Thanksgiving creates a stark contrast in this seemingly peaceful town.

🏙️ City 🛒 Shopping

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:58

Main Characters – Thanksgiving (2023)

Meet the key characters of Thanksgiving (2023), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jessica Wright

Jessica is central to the story, portrayed as brave and resourceful amid terrifying circumstances. She grapples with the consequences of past events, including her relationship with Bobby and her struggles against the chaos. Her determination to survive and save her friends showcases both her resilience and vulnerability.

👩‍🎤 Main Character 💔 Love Triangle 🔦 Survivor

Bobby

Bobby is Jessica's boyfriend, initially heroic and deeply affected by the traumatic events from a year ago. His return complicates Jessica's life while revealing his growth since the incident. His willingness to confront danger emphasizes his character's evolution and connection to Jessica.

🦸‍♂️ Hero 💪 Protector 🏆 Determined

Sheriff Eric Newlon (Patrick Dempsey)

Sheriff Newlon appears as a trusted authority figure but harbors dark secrets linked to the town's horrific events. His betrayal and twisted motives create a terrifying edge to the story, revealing a complex character driven by personal demons. The revelation of his true nature shocks both Jessica and the audience.

👮‍♂️ Authority 😈 Villain 🕵️‍♂️ Deceitful

Amanda Collins

Amanda Collins, the wife of store manager Mitch, becomes a tragic victim of the narrative's violent disruptions. Her character underscores the stakes of the story, as her death serves as a catalyst for the events that unfold. Amanda's background and connections add depth to the community's tragedy.

💔 Victim 🙏 Tragic Figure 🌟 Respected

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:58

Major Themes – Thanksgiving (2023)

Explore the central themes of Thanksgiving (2023), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🦃 Survival

Survival is a central theme as characters navigate a deadly scenario where their lives are threatened. Jessica’s determination to save her friends highlights the lengths one will go to protect loved ones. The tension and fear present throughout the film reinforce the instinctual need to survive against overwhelming odds.

🔪 Betrayal

Betrayal plays a pivotal role in the narrative, particularly with Sheriff Newlon's unexpected turn as the antagonist. His deceit and hidden motives surrounding Amanda's death generate a chilling atmosphere. The emotional impact of betrayal affects the character dynamics and fortifies the horror of the unfolding events.

🎭 Identity

The theme of identity is explored through the characters' struggles in the aftermath of the initial tragedy. Jessica grapples with her relationship with Bobby and her new boyfriend Ryan, while others face repercussions from their actions during the chaotic events. This theme examines how traumatic experiences shape personal identities and relationships.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:58

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Mystery Slashers in a Small Town like Thanksgiving

Isolated communities stalked by a killer with a secret motive.If you liked the whodunnit mystery and small-town dread of Thanksgiving, explore more movies where an isolated community is terrorized by a killer with a personal vendetta. These films blend slasher horror with investigative thrills, often revealing secrets that hit close to home.

suspensefulparanoidgoryvengefulinvestigativeclaustrophobicbrutal

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically begin with a brutal event that shatters the peace of a secluded town. A killer, often wearing a distinctive mask, begins a violent spree. The plot follows a protagonist, sometimes a survivor or an outsider, who must investigate the murders, uncovering a traumatic past event that connects the victims and explains the killer's motive. The climax often involves a final, intense confrontation that reveals the killer's identity.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped by their shared setting of a small, isolated community, the 'whodunnit' puzzle element woven into the slasher format, and the theme of past sins coming back to haunt the present. The vibe is a mix of paranoid suspicion and bloody horror.

High-Intensity Survival Horror Movies like Thanksgiving

Relentless fights for survival against a brutal, unstoppable force.Fans of the non-stop, brutal action and high-stakes survival in Thanksgiving will enjoy these films. They feature a fast pace, graphic violence, and protagonists pushed to their absolute limits as they fight to survive against a seemingly unstoppable killer or threat.

tensebrutalanxiousrelentlessgorysuspensefultraumaticdesperate

Narrative Summary

The narrative is a straightforward, propulsive chase. After an inciting incident of extreme violence, the protagonists are constantly on the run or under siege. There is minimal downtime, with the plot consisting of a series of escalating, creatively violent set pieces. Character development happens in the moments between attacks, often revealing their resilience or breaking points. The journey is about enduring one traumatic event after another until a final, desperate confrontation.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their overwhelming intensity, fast pacing, and focus on the raw, physical struggle to survive. The experience is defined by constant tension, graphic violence, and a feeling of being relentlessly hunted, creating an anxious and exhausting viewing experience.

Unlock the Full Story of Thanksgiving

Don't stop at just watching — explore Thanksgiving in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Thanksgiving is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Thanksgiving Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Thanksgiving, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Thanksgiving Summary

Thanksgiving Timeline

Track the full timeline of Thanksgiving with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Thanksgiving Timeline

Thanksgiving Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Thanksgiving? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Thanksgiving Ending Explained

Thanksgiving Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Thanksgiving that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Thanksgiving Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Thanksgiving

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Thanksgiving: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Thanksgiving

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