Thanksgiving 2: Everything We Know About Eli Roth’s Slasher Sequel, Including Release Date & Returning Cast

The highly anticipated sequel to Eli Roth's surprise 2023 slasher hit, Thanksgiving, is officially on the menu, with production details and a target release window now confirmed. Horror fans can rejoice, as the terrifying pilgrim killer, John Carver, is set to return for "seconds," promising a bloodier, more ambitious follow-up to the film that critics hailed as a return to form for the holiday-themed horror subgenre. This is the most current and comprehensive update as of December 2025, detailing everything you need to know about the next chapter of the Plymouth, Massachusetts massacre.

The original film’s success—grossing $46.6 million worldwide against a modest $15 million production budget and receiving generally positive reviews—made a sequel an easy greenlight for Sony’s Screen Gems. Director Eli Roth, who had been developing the concept for over a decade, announced the sequel himself, promising to "up the ante" for the next installment. Filming is currently scheduled to begin in March 2025, keeping the slasher sequel on track for a late 2025 theatrical release, perfectly timed for the Thanksgiving holiday season.

The Creative Force: Director Eli Roth and Key Cast Profiles

The driving creative vision behind the *Thanksgiving* franchise is the master of splatter, Eli Roth. His return to the director's chair is the most critical piece of news for the sequel. Known for his polarizing yet influential work in the modern horror landscape, Roth is a figure of significant topical authority in the genre.

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Eli Roth: Biography and Filmography Snapshot

• Full Name: Eli Raphael Roth
• Born: April 18, 1972, in Newton, Massachusetts, USA.
• Role: Director, Screenwriter, Producer, Actor.
• Signature Style: Associated with the "splat pack" movement, known for extreme gore, dark humor, and controversial themes.
• Notable Directorial Works:
  • Cabin Fever (2002)
  • Hostel (2005) and Hostel: Part II (2007)
  • The Green Inferno (2013)
  • Death Wish (2018)
  • The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018)
  • Thanksgiving (2023)
• As an Actor: Best known for his role as Donny "The Bear Jew" Donowitz in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds (2009).
• Upcoming Projects: He is also directing the film adaptation of the video game Borderlands.

Key Returning Cast (Likely)

While an official, full cast list for *Thanksgiving 2* is pending, several main actors from the original film are strongly rumored or have confirmed their desire to return, which is essential for continuity in a slasher franchise:

• Nell Verlaque (as Jessica): As the main "Final Girl" survivor of the first film and the daughter of the killer's victim, Jessica is the most crucial character for the sequel's plot. Verlaque has expressed her expectation to reprise her role.
• Addison Rae (as Gaby): The director, Eli Roth, has hinted that the social media star will be back for the second film, suggesting her character, Gaby, who was one of Jessica's friends, survived the initial massacre.
• Rick Hoffman (as Thomas Wright): Hoffman, who played the wealthy supermarket owner, is also expected to return, potentially providing continuity and a link to the town’s elite.
• Jalen Thomas Brooks (as Bobby): As another survivor from the original group of friends, his return is considered highly likely to continue the core group's story.

The Road to a Sequel: Why Thanksgiving 2 Was Inevitable

The journey of *Thanksgiving* from a fake trailer in Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino’s 2007 double feature, *Grindhouse*, to a full-length feature film in 2023 was a passion project for Eli Roth. The film's success was not just about box office numbers; it was about delivering a specific type of brutal, old-school slasher film that fans had been craving.

Box Office and Critical Acclaim

The movie's financial performance was a significant factor in the sequel's greenlight. Against a production budget of $15 million, the film's global gross of $46.6 million was a solid return on investment, especially for a mid-budget horror film released in a crowded holiday season.

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Critically, the film was a pleasant surprise. Reviewers praised its commitment to the slasher genre's roots, its inventive and gruesome kills, and its effective blend of horror and dark comedy. Many critics called it one of Roth's best directorial efforts, cementing its status as a new holiday horror classic alongside films like *Black Christmas* (1974) and *Silent Night, Deadly Night* (1984).

The Official Announcement and Timeline

The sequel was officially announced by Eli Roth via an Instagram post shortly after the original film's release, confirming that John Carver would be back to terrorize Plymouth. The announcement set an ambitious target for a 2025 release, aiming to repeat the successful holiday timing.

The current timeline is aggressive but achievable for a slasher film:

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• Script Development: The screenplay is currently in development, likely penned by Roth and his long-time collaborator, Jeff Rendell, who co-wrote the first film.
• Filming Start: Scheduled for March 2025.
• Release Date: Late 2025, specifically targeting the Thanksgiving holiday week in November.

Plot Speculation: What's Next for John Carver?

The first *Thanksgiving* film established a clear mythology: a killer, dubbed John Carver (the name of the first governor of the Plymouth Colony), seeks revenge against the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts, after a Black Friday riot leads to several deaths. The reveal of Sheriff Eric Newlon (Patrick Dempsey) as the killer, who was motivated by his unrequited love for Jessica’s mother, provided a definitive conclusion to that specific arc.

Upping the Ante: A New Carver or a Copycat?

Eli Roth has teased that *Thanksgiving 2* will be on a "whole new level" and that they are "upping the ante," which suggests a bigger, more elaborate slasher spectacle.

The biggest question for the sequel's plot is the identity of the new killer. Given that Sheriff Newlon was the John Carver in the first film, the sequel will likely explore one of the following classic slasher tropes:

• The Copycat Killer: The most probable scenario. The events of the first film have now created a legend. A new killer, inspired by the original John Carver’s actions and costume, could emerge to continue the "cleansing" of the town. This allows the franchise to continue indefinitely with new antagonists.
• The Original Killer's Accomplice: The killer may have had an unknown partner who now seeks revenge for Newlon's capture or death. This would provide a direct link to the original film's underlying motives.
• A New Vengeance: The sequel could introduce a new set of victims and a new killer with a fresh motive tied to the town of Plymouth and its dark history, perhaps focusing on a different holiday or a different aspect of the original Black Friday tragedy.

The Survivor's Trauma

The return of survivors like Jessica and Gaby is crucial for the emotional weight of the film. Like classic slasher sequels such as *Scream 2* or *Halloween II*, *Thanksgiving 2* will likely focus on the trauma and PTSD experienced by the survivors. The new John Carver will almost certainly target Jessica, who was instrumental in unmasking the original killer, turning the town of Plymouth into a recurring site of terror.

With a March 2025 production start and a guaranteed holiday release, all signs point to a successful return for the John Carver slasher. Horror fans should prepare for a feast of fear come late 2025.