Celebrate Thanksgiving with the Top 11 Slices in Horror
Cannibal Holocaust (1980) – The Turtle
We’re not exactly sure what a nearly four-minute scene of people catching, killing, flaying, cooking and eating a big-ass turtle adds to a film, but this real-life hunting scene is one of the most prevalent and memorable from Ruggero Deodato’s Cannibal Holocaust. The animal was eaten by the native members of the cast and crew, so indeed it was no different than any other hunting experience they would normally have. But the way it was filmed and portrayed made it seem like just a bit much. But being “just a bit much” is what has kept Cannibal Holocaust pertinent to this day, nearly 35 years after its initial release. It’s off the charts when it comes to being gritty and realistic, and the death of the turtle scene is a big reason for that. If you’re checking out this list looking for something to watch during Thanksgiving, you might want to pass on this one, at least until after dinner.
Hostel: Part II (2007) – Stuart
I personally think it’s fantastic to see the National Football League stepping up and making a stand against domestic violence. Of course, their hand was a bit forced on the issue, but that’s a discussion for another time. What we have in this scene from Hostel: Part II is the ultimate revenge for a woman who was made a victim by a man. That’s right; ol’ Stuart finds his johnson in a very precarious predicament and still doesn’t have the good sense not to call Beth a cunt while his member is between two very sharp, very large scissor blades. Come on, man! You’ve gotta know better than that. Just like many of the scenes on the list so far, this castration is spot-on realistic looking, and the fact that she flips the wiener to a couple of dogs to eat while sashaying out of the room leaving instructions to “Let him bleed to death” made this one killer finale!
Pet Sematary (1989) – Jud Crandall
Of all the films based on the writings of Stephen King, Pet Sematary is one of the most memorable. It’s just downright scary. The Micmac burial grounds, Gage and goddamn Zelda (she haunts me to this day) are all absolutely frightening subjects. Our entry on this list focuses on toddler Gage and his run-in with Fred Gwynne’s character, Jud Crandall. Gage severs Jud’s Achilles’ tendon in an intense cinematic moment. It’s the kind of scene, like the hobbling from Misery, that makes you grip the arm of your chair, curl your toes and cringe. From there, Gage, the little scamp, goes on to bite Jud’s throat out in a moment of active childhood disobedience, before going on to the final battle with dear ol’ dad… “Now I wanna play with yeeeew.”
