After sixteen whole years Eli Roth finally got around to taking his fake trailer from 2007’s “Grindhouse” and transforming it in to an actual feature length slasher film. We’re not bereft of holiday themed horror movies, but we’re about due for a slasher revival, and if you’re in the mood for “Thanksgiving” be sure to visit (or re-visit) these five horror titles that influenced “Thanksgivng.”
Grindhouse (2007)
Streaming on Tubi, Amazon Prime
This is the movie double feature that birthed “Thanksgiving.” In 2007 Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez brought along a bunch of their pals to make a double feature of horror exploitation films. During the intermission Rob Zombie, Edgar Wright, and Eli Roth contributed their own mock trailers, one of which was the (then) faux holiday themed slasher movie “Thanksgiving.” The trailer was a highlight of the “Grindhouse” experience and is still a masterclass of how to cut a horror trailer.
Cutting Class (1989)
Streaming on Amazon Prime
Rospo Pallenberg’s horror comedy and slasher is a great, funny bit of satire with its tongue planted firmly in cheek. Along with the maniac in the picture being a vindictive ex student, it also features a very early role from Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt. Roth borrowed a very infamous and iconic murder from this for use in his “Thanksgiving” trailer and it’s just as painful here as it was in his trailer.
Slaughter High (1986)
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Another holiday themed horror film that is often overlooked, “Slaughter High” is about an incident that caused horrible consequences, and a bunch of adults in arrested development forced to reckon with a vengeful classmate. The Jester slasher in this film is a vengeful vindictive son of a bitch who spares no one. Along with being a great slasher, this ends a particularly twisted note that works for the narrative, rather than against it.
My Bloody Valentine (1981)
Streaming on Pluto TV, Amazon Prime, and Redbox
There’s a small mining town, a horrible accident, an obnoxious holiday involving love, and a very vengeful miner lurking within the bowels of the town’s source of income. “My Bloody Valentine” is one of the best, often overlooked holiday themed slasher movies filled with genuine characterization, some eerie moments within the mines, and a finale that’ll leave you spooked. Plus there’s also the remake/sequel which is also pretty damn good in its own right.
Prom Night (1980)
Streaming on Tubi, Peacock, and Amazon Prime
Paul Lynch’s slasher revenge film is also a sharp whodunit much in the way Eli Roth practices with “Thanksgiving.” Set after a horrible accident, events unfold with an axe murderer who is taking out high schoolers on prom night. Starring Jamie Lee Curtis, “Prom Night” is a great dose of seventies cheese with a relentless killer and a neat reveal in the finale. Plus not many modern horror movies pause the story to introduce a dance number mid-way, anymore.