Eli Roth Teases "Thanksgiving 2" and Addison Rae's Return

Eli Roth Teases "Thanksgiving 2" and Addison Rae's Return

It’s official: the bloodbath at the Thanksgiving dinner table isn’t over. Eli Roth's Thanksgiving, the holiday horror film that served up plenty of scares and gory moments, has left fans hungry for more. And if you're one of those eagerly awaiting a second helping, you're in luck—Thanksgiving 2 is already in the works and slated for a 2025 release. But that's not all. Roth, who directed and co-wrote the first film, has dropped some juicy hints about what we can expect, including the return of Thanksgiving survivor Gaby, played by social media sensation turned actress Addison Rae.

A Sequel So Good, It’s Worth Gobbling Up

Thanksgiving (2023) wasn't just a slice of slasher fun—it was a surprise hit. The film, which had a modest budget of $15 million, went on to gross over $46 million worldwide. Not to mention, it found a second life when it hit Netflix in 2024, giving it even more time to feast on a growing fanbase. But for Eli Roth, the journey doesn’t stop with one bloody serving.

At a recent premiere for his video game adaptation Borderlands, Roth took a break from the action to discuss Thanksgiving 2, the sequel to his gory holiday slasher. While fans have long been clamoring for a follow-up, it was Roth’s comments about Addison Rae that really made waves.

“We kept her alive for a reason,” Roth said with a grin, referring to Rae’s character, Gaby, who was one of the few to make it out of the first film alive. “It doesn’t feel like a ‘Thanksgiving’ movie without Addison Rae.” The director’s words have fans speculating about the direction of the sequel, and whether Gaby will once again find herself battling a masked killer in a town riddled with dark secrets.

The Secret Ingredient: A Grindhouse Classic Reborn

Before it became a full-fledged feature film, Thanksgiving began its life as a joke—well, sort of. In 2007, Eli Roth, Quentin Tarantino, and Robert Rodriguez teamed up to create Grindhouse, a double feature that paid homage to the grindhouse cinema of the 1970s. One of the most memorable elements of the film was the fake trailers, including Roth’s own Thanksgiving, which spoofed classic slasher films with its over-the-top premise: a killer dressed as a pilgrim goes on a rampage during the holiday season.

But the parody didn’t stop there. The trailer was so well-received that Roth and his writing partner Jeff Rendell decided to bring it to life as a full-length feature. Thanksgiving (2023) tells the story of a small Massachusetts town haunted by a killer in a John Carver mask, inspired by the mythos of the holiday itself. With an ensemble cast that includes Patrick Dempsey, Milo Manheim, Gina Gershon, and of course, Addison Rae, the film takes audiences on a bloody ride through Black Friday chaos, holiday horrors, and a twisted vendetta.

The plot centers on a deadly killer who targets those involved in a Black Friday stampede, killing people associated with the RightMart store. The killer’s vendetta? A complex revenge plot fueled by betrayal, grief, and, in typical Roth fashion, a high body count. By the end of the film, it’s revealed that the killer was none other than the town sheriff, Eric Newlon (played by Rick Hoffman), who harbored a personal grudge after losing his pregnant lover during the chaotic events at RightMart.

While the film's plot kept audiences on the edge of their seats, it was the over-the-top slasher vibes that made it an instant cult classic. And with Thanksgiving 2 coming down the pipeline, it seems Roth has no intention of letting up on the horror.

What to Expect in Thanksgiving 2

Although official details about the sequel are still scarce, Roth has teased that the film will pick up right where the first one left off, with Gaby likely returning to face more terrifying threats. The first movie’s success has raised the stakes for the sequel, and with Roth’s knack for blending horror and humor, fans can expect plenty of dark twists and gruesome surprises.

And, of course, there’s that mystery surrounding Addison Rae’s character. Will Gaby be the hero this time around, or will she become the next victim of the masked killer? Given Roth's track record, we can bet on plenty of bloody twists and turns, not to mention some killer Thanksgiving-themed puns (think: "turkey day terror" and "feasting on revenge").

A Franchise in the Making?

Roth has always been adept at blending horror with dark humor, and Thanksgiving certainly fits that mold. The first film was a nod to horror classics while adding a fresh, satirical twist. With the sequel in the works, it's clear that Roth sees Thanksgiving as more than just a one-off. In fact, fans are already wondering if this could become a full-fledged franchise. After all, holiday-themed horror has a long and successful history (hello, Halloween and Friday the 13th), and Thanksgiving has all the makings of a cult favorite. Plus, with the introduction of a new crop of characters and a returning survivor in Gaby, Roth has the perfect recipe for keeping audiences coming back for more.

A Thanksgiving Feast We Can’t Wait To Gobble Up

As we inch closer to the 2025 release of Thanksgiving 2, it’s safe to say that the holiday season will never be the same. Whether you’re a fan of bloody revenge, dark humor, or just can’t resist a good horror movie, this sequel promises to deliver all of the above—and maybe even a few more twists than you can handle. After all, Eli Roth knows how to keep his audience on edge, and with Addison Rae back in action, Thanksgiving 2 is shaping up to be a bloody good time.

So, prepare your appetite for terror, because the feast is far from over. The killer feast is coming back, and it’s going to be one hell of a ride.