While many people associate the holiday season with warmth, joy, and family-friendly movies, there are those who find delight in the darker side of cinema. One such individual is renowned producer Mike Fleiss, whose taste in holiday films veers towards the macabre. In a recent interview, Fleiss confidently revealed his top holiday film pick: Thanksgiving, a slasher flick directed by his friend and collaborator, Eli Roth.
The choice may come as a surprise to those expecting a traditional feel-good holiday film. However, Fleiss and Roth have a history of delving into the world of horror together. They previously worked on the creepy classics Hostel and Hostel: Part II, carefully crafting chilling narratives that left audiences on the edge of their seats.
Thanksgiving, which premiered on November 17th, has been making waves in the horror genre. It had a strong debut at the box office, earning $10.2 million domestically and an additional $2.4 million internationally. The film centers around an ax-wielding maniac wreaking havoc in Plymouth, Massachusetts, following a Black Friday riot that spirals into a blood-soaked nightmare.
The idea for Thanksgiving has been cooking in Roth’s mind for quite some time. Originally conceived as a fake movie trailer for Grindhouse in 2007, the concept dates back even further. Roth and his childhood friend, writer Jeff Rendell, dreamt of creating a holiday-themed horror movie. While other special occasions have had their fair share of scares onscreen, such as Krampus for Christmas or Halloween for, well, Halloween, Thanksgiving had yet to be explored. Roth saw an opportunity to fill that void, giving voice to their childhood dreams and creating a slasher film for a new generation.
Fleiss’ realm extends beyond his collaboration with Roth. He boasts an impressive horror film portfolio, having produced the 2003 remake The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and its prequel, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning. Earlier this year, he lent his expertise to Possessions, a horror movie produced by his son. The film follows the journey of a grieving father who relocates his son and finds himself immersed in a dark and foreboding world.
While Fleiss may not be a household name in the same way as the stars of The Bachelor or The Bachelorette, his contributions to the horror genre are undeniable. With Thanksgiving as his top holiday film pick, he continues to push boundaries and challenge the notion of what constitutes holiday entertainment. So, if you’re in the mood for some blood-soaked scares this holiday season, perhaps Mike Fleiss’ recommendation will give you the thrill you seek.