Eli Roth’s slasher movie “Thanksgiving” follows a group of teenagers as a festive murderer seeks to take out each of them one-by-one for their involvement in a nightmarish Black Friday tragedy the year prior.

Roth’s films tend to have hit-or-miss performances and humor, but in “Thanksgiving,” his writing feels tight enough to craft a corny tone while still allowing the actors to create their own performance separate from the writing. The jokes and scenes throughout fit the corny slasher tone, making for an enjoyable experience that allows audiences to overlook any plot holes in favor of a fun experience at the movies.

Roth’s style shines brightly moreso than in any of his past films. It appears as though the studio gave him full trust to make the movie exactly as he wanted with few alterations. This works expertly for those who love his style, but even for audiences unfamiliar with his work, the film still remains an easily consumable and delicious watch.

The mystery surrounding the killer admittedly feels a little silly. From the get-go, audiences will easily predict the killer’s identity, and even if they don’t manage to figure it out, the killer’s motivation won’t satisfy enough to warrant a shock reaction. That being said, the killer’s performance during the reveal works incredibly well and will leave audiences laughing at the insane quips and well-choreographed chase sequences.

One thing about an Eli Roth movie that is guaranteed is gore. “Thanksgiving” feels both creative and disgusting in a way no slasher movies have achieved in a long time. Kills utilize tools used in preparing “Thanksgiving” foods from an oven to a corkscrew to even the little handles placed on a cob of corn.

The gore never holds back and will have audiences wincing every single time. Blood and viscera splatter across the screen at a constant rate, and every kill feels as jaw-dropping as the last. The practical effects behind certain kills were likely a nightmare to set up, but the final product looks fantastic. Gorehounds will get their fill this holiday season.

Surprisingly, “Thanksgiving” does a great job at its satirical take on capitalism and Black Friday hysteria as a whole. The movie establishes itself as a commentary on consumer culture in a very real way that, while never at the forefront of the plot, still lingers thanks to the cold open’s conclusion.

“Thanksgiving” makes for a filling dish of excellence that’ll satisfy both gorehounds and casual horror fans. Allowing Roth to roam freely over his story makes for one of the better horror movies of the year. While slashers never truly left theaters, none have captured the ’80s grindhouse aesthetic quite like this one.

4 bottles of blood wine out of 5