Gore and gravy: Terrifying Thanksgiving horror films to stream now
Despite the overwhelming joy and gratitude that Thanksgiving is meant to invoke, there’s a deliciously dark side to every holiday. For those who love a good turkey with a side of terror, the intersection of Thanksgiving and horror films is a little-explored niche that offers some truly quirky and blood-curdling entertainment. Here’s a guide to the most ghastly Thanksgiving-themed horror movies available for streaming this holiday season – because sometimes, you just want to swap the pumpkin pie for some gore and gravy.
First on the list is “Blood Rage,” also known as “Slasher” in certain releases. This 1987 slasher classic revolves around a young man named Terry who frames his twin brother Todd for a murder he committed during Thanksgiving. Fast forward to years later when Todd escapes from an asylum on Turkey Day, sending Terry into a murderous frenzy. It’s a cult classic that serves up extra helpings of bloody mayhem.
Another helping of horror comes with “ThanksKilling,” a low-budget film featuring a killer turkey named Turkie who is hell-bent on slaughtering college students during Thanksgiving break. This 2009 indie film is stuffed with campy humor, terrible puns, and is so unapologetically bad it’s good.
For those who like their movies as stuffed as their turkeys, there’s “Kristy.” This tense thriller from 2014 follows a lone college student staying on campus over the holiday break. She becomes the target of masked assailants and must fight to survive until morning. With its isolationist vibe and survival theme, “Kristy” brings an atmosphere that’s chilling in more ways than the November weather.
“Pilgrim,” part of Hulu’s Into The Dark series, takes Thanksgiving horror back to its historical roots. The film sees a family inviting actors to reenact the original pilgrim settlers’ story at their Thanksgiving dinner, only for them to take their roles deadly seriously. It’s an eerie reminder that history can come back to haunt us in the most unexpected ways.
Lastly, if your taste buds tingle for twisted tales, “The Oath” rounds out our list mixing dark comedy and societal commentary in this 2018 film about family tensions during the holidays that escalate into violence when government policies provoke division at the dinner table.
As you baste your turkey and prepare your stuffing this Thanksgiving, remember that there’s no shortage of films that carve into the darker side of this festive time. So why not add some Gore and gravy to your menu? These terrifying flicks are sure to satiate your hunger for fear with a hefty side of macabre humor.