Eli Roth directed and co-wrote the initial mock trailer for Grindhouse, but it fluidly turned out to be a hit on its own as a horror movie. An ensemble cast that is well-balanced with talented seasoned actors and up-and-coming stars is greatly responsible for the success of Thanksgiving. From Patrick Dempsey who did a great job of portraying the leading character, to Addison Rae who debuted in the movie and completely did the character justice, the audience adored all the characters in the movie.
In the following article, we examine the main members of the cast of the Thanksgiving who played significant parts.
Nell Verlaque as the Protagonist, Jessica Wright
Image credit- https://screenrant.com/
First of all, the Thanksgiving is centered on the character of Jessica Wright, a role portrayed by Nell Verlaque. Verlaque became widely known as one of the participants in the TV series Big Shots (2021) and the thriller The Marijuana Conspiracy (2020). However, her participation in Thanksgiving, especially the role of Jessica, was a career breakthrough.
The main character, Jessica, who is the daughter of a RightMart shop owner, unknowingly trigger the events which brought about the Black Friday riot that later will be the main driver of the film’s storyline. Verlaque’s subtle portrayal of Jessica’s character with the complexity of her emotions gave viewers a reason to root for the protagonist as she experienced hardships and difficulty after the riot and the subsequent killings.
Patrick Dempsey as Sheriff Eric Newlan
Image credit- https://screenrant.com/
Really spicing things up in the Thanksgiving cast is Patrick Dempsey, who plays Sheriff Eric Newlan. Dempsey is most recognized for his lead character as Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd in one of the longest running medical drama, Grey’s Anatomy, but he has also appeared in a number of movies which include Disney’s movie Enchanted, Flypaper and Bridget Jones’s Baby.
Dempsey’s Newlan, a sheriff in charge of the investigation into Black Friday riot and the subsequent killings, assume a central role in the film as well. His delivery encapsulates the character’s devotion to duty and defiance, by adding a certain world-weariness flavoring, which makes him a multifaceted and fascinating presence.
All will be carved. 🪓
— Thanksgiving Movie (@tgivingmovie) September 7, 2023
Watch the teaser trailer for #ThanksgivingMovie and see it exclusively in movie theaters November 17. pic.twitter.com/79eG9eKszA
Jalen Thomas Brooks as Bobby
Image credit- https://screenrant.com/
Jalen Thomas Brooks is casted as Jessica’s partner, Bobby, in Thanksgiving. The Los Angeles native actor is best known for his supporting role in TV series like Rebel, Animal Kingdom and Walker, all started in 2021. Additionally, he has made cameo appearances in episodes like Henry Danger and Supergirl.
While Brooks’ character, Bobby, departs from the town of Plymouth, due to sustaining an injury during the Black Friday turmoil. The very fact that he secretly returns brings the essential ingredient of suspense into the plot of a film.
Tomaso Sanelli as Evan
Image credit- https://screenrant.com/
In the Thanksgiving’s famous jock character, we find Canadian actor Tomaso Sanelli who earlier played a young Dick Grayson in the 2018 series Titans. Likewise, Sanelli has also starred in the TV shows Detention Adventure and Holly Hobbit.
In Thanksgiving, Sanelli’s character, Evan, is found to be the second-most accountable to the Black Friday riot as he was willing to get into the store early to buy a new phone because his was broken. So, besides as the film depicts the repercussions of the riot characters, Sanelli’s performance creates another intricate layer in the ensemble.
Gabriel Davenport as Scuba
Image credit- https://screenrant.com/
Besides her other friends in Thanksgiving is Scuba played by Toronto born performer Gabriel Davenport. Davenport is famous for his work in the Netflix series V Wars and the ABC show Designated Survivor, as well as his part in the Prime Video movie Home for the Holidays and the Tubi series Mistletoe Time Machine.
Scuba, another character, was part of the Black Friday riot and is now being chased by the killer. Her portrayal adds to the flaws and thus raises the tension and suspense of the film.
Jenna Warren as Yulia
Image credit- https://screenrant.com/
Closing Jessica’s group of friends is Yulia, played by Canadian actor Jenna Warren. Warren is best known for her voiceover work, having lent her voice to characters in shows like My Little Pony: Make your Mark and All About Time.
Thanksgiving finds Warren’s Yulia as Scuba’s girlfriend, and one of the other young people that were part of the Black Friday riot. Having her character associated with the major activity makes the story more interesting as well as increases the complexity of the ensemble’s connection.
Addison Rae as Gabby
Image credit- https://screenrant.com/
Adding to the Thanksgiving ensemble is social media sensation and singer Addison Rae who plays the character of Jessica’s best friend, Gabby. It is TikTok where Rae amassed a huge following and is the fourth most-followed member.
Rae’s transformation into the acting world is widely talked about and the role of Thanksgiving is a milestone in that journey. Just like Rae, Gabby got involved unwittingly in the Black Friday uprising, which served as one of the clues to the film’s chain of events.
Supporting Cast and Characters
Among the regular cast, Thanksgiving also features a charming supporting cast that brings out the many shades of the characters in the movie.
Milo Manheim, having a musical theater background, plays Ryan, the new bf of Jessica, in the movie. Veteran actor Ty Olsson steps into the shoes of Mitch Collins, the store manager of the RightMart who lost his wife to the riot, and Gina Gershon assumes the role of Amanda Collins, one of the most impacted customers of the Black Friday anarchy.
A notable member of the supporting acting team as the father of Jessica and the owner of the Rounding out the support cast is Rick Hoffman as Jessica’s father and RightMart owner, Thomas Wright, and Karen Cliche as Kathleen Wright, the mother of Jessica and the one behind pushing for the store to open early on Black Friday.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving’s cast, from the accomplished veterans to the emerging performers, played an important role in the film’s success on screen. Every actor brought atmosphere to their characters by blending individual talent, charm, and depth to create a cast that not only thrilled the audiences, but also raised the bar that Eli Roth had set for combining both the horror and comedy genres.
As Thanksgiving stays as one of the top horrors of 2023; the cast will certainly be remembered as one of the major elements that lives the movie legacy.
FAQs
Q: What is Thanksgiving (2023) about?
A: Thanksgiving is the horror comedy movie which is written and directed by Eli Roth. This is a year after the death of Black Friday which had been unintentionally caused by a group of teenagers. The movie shows the characters in the process of being a target to a killer who is hitting one by one.
Q: Who is the protagonist of Thanksgiving?
A: The main character of the Thanksgiving is Jessica Wright portrayed by Nell Verlaque. The main character, Jessica, whose father happens to be a RightMart store owner, somehow triggered the events that resulted in the lethal Black Friday riot.
Q: Are any of the actors new to the film industry?
A: Yes, the Thanksgiving star ensemble includes both young and experienced actors. For instance, Addison Rae, an influencer of social media, plays the character of Gabby, Jessica’s best friend, in the film.
Q: How do the characters in Thanksgiving connect to the film’s events?
A: Concerning the characters, most of them had something to do with the Black Friday riot which initiated the Thanksgiving events. Besides, Jessie and her kids are also implicated in the succession of events that ended with many casualties.
Q: What impact did the cast have on the success of Thanksgiving?
A: The gifted ensemble cast played a key role in the movie`s victory over Thanksgiving. This movie would not have been able to achieve the horror-comedy blend it intended to create without the contributions of each actor bringing a depth and complexity to their characters. The actors received positive reviews both from the critics and the audience.
Amit Gupta is a 2015 graduate of RTU in Rajasthan, India. After working over a decade as an additional writer at News article, he decided to start his own news publication. He mainly focuses on entertainment, Movies, Web series articles and editorials. He likes to listen to music and play cricket in his free time. Follow On Facebook.
.