Thanks Killing (2009)

Directed by: Jordan Downey | 66 minutes | action, horror, comedy | Actors: Lindsey Anderson, General Bastard, Natasha Cordova, Caleb Downey, Ryan E. Francis, Jeff Heim, Chuck Lamb, Pat Love, Wanda Lust, Lance Predmore, Aaron Ringhiser-Carlson

Turkey is traditionally on the menu during American and Canadian Thanksgiving. However, this ‘ThanksKilling’ breaks with tradition when a turkey goes on a killing spree during the Thanksgiving holiday. It’s not exactly an approach that lends itself to an overly serious film. This is underlined when the turkey first comes into view. He is clearly fake in appearance and not exactly too natural-looking. On the contrary, it is an appearance that raises some question marks: a swearing, sarcastic, scolding, grinning, cigar smoking, driving a car and using all kinds of weaponry, murderous piece of poultry. It quickly becomes clear that there is little real horror here.

This ‘ThanksKilling’ mainly comes across as a satirical tribute to the horror genre, to those films in which an unstoppable serial killer kills one victim after another. The makers don’t take their own production too seriously either, because some serious intentions could not have played a part in the portrayal of the turkey and its actions. Nor with the all too often questionable performance of the various human characters whom the turkey is after or who encounter him along the way.

The sheriff’s daughter and her friends who mistake the turkey for her father when the turkey has taped its stripped face over its own turkey head? The motorist who wants to give the turkey a lift but isn’t at all surprised by a talking turkey that is hitchhiking and carrying a gun? Well… in addition to serious horror, there is also very little credibility worth mentioning. When watching this film, the predominant idea is that making it fun was paramount. There’s plenty of action in the form of chases and heavy-handed clashes, both as the turkey hunts its intended victims and as they do battle with him.

Furthermore, there are plenty of gory scenes when the turkey breaks out through a human stomach, works its victims with its beak and its lust for murder also indulges in other ways. In terms of special effects, it’s not Oscar material at all, but given the low budget impression this production makes, it is still very well rendered. In any case, it ensures that there is no boredom. There is also plenty to laugh about. Because of the turkey’s actions and sarcastic one-liners, the ways he kills his victims and his repeatedly very rubbery appearance. The silly and all too often extremely questionable behavior of the various human characters also provides the necessary successful comic notes. These are matters in which the makers have at least done a creditable job in the design. Because however absurd the starting points and the subsequent developments may be, for those who appreciate a corny satirical approach, this film is a successful tribute.

This also applies to the chewed-up clichés that are present in many horror films: a group of characters that is gradually thinned out, some mutual love problems between the various superficial and here almost caricatural characters, the all too great predictability with regard to whom will go down, the lengthy misunderstanding once the turkey shows up, a ragged redneck walking in and out of the frame, the toughness of the unbreakable turkey, and camera angles from the culprit’s point of view to a vague nonsensical mythical story about its origin.

In terms of story or developments – with the exception of the turkey itself perhaps – not all that original, and a bit of horror fan can dream it by now. But given the approach of this film, the passing recognizability, emphasized again by the nonsensical interpretation of things, comes across as appropriate and funny. There is not much talk of overly uplifting acting. Of course also because of the trivial developments that happen to the various characters, the unbelievable behavior they display and the all too questionable dialogues that are conducted here and there. But this also seems all the more appropriate within the set-up.

The enthusiasm of the cast is also striking. The star of the story is the turkey that cannot be taken seriously for a second. Despite its unimpressive stature, the murderous piece of poultry does work with determination and above all extremely effectively in all its bloodlust. This ‘ThanksKilling’ results in a low budget b-movie in which there is literally next to nothing to take seriously and where the makers don’t make any effort in that regard. The film also pretends to be nothing more than a lot of corny nonsense, but it is worth it. The fans of serious horror work don’t have to make an effort for it. However, for those who are open to an approach such as the one presented here, there is more than enough successful entertainment available with this film.