ThanksKilling 3 is one of the most absurd, chaotic, and truly bizarre films you’ll come across. As a follow-up to the cult-classic horror-comedy ThanksKilling (2009), this movie embraces its over-the-top absurdity and raises the stakes by leaning heavily into self-aware humor and bonkers storytelling. It’s a parody of both sequels and the horror genre at large, making it a niche favorite for fans of offbeat, campy cinema.
Synopsis
ThanksKilling 3 involves a meta story: there is no ThanksKilling 2. This time, however, we follow Turkie the murderous turkey on his quest to retrieve the last remaining copy of the “lost” film. Along the way, viewers meet a wild assortment of characters including puppet sidekicks, weird antagonists, and crazy shenanigans.
This chaotic plot includes a mix of puppetry, low-budget effects, and fourth wall breaking humor. It is as if the film was envisioned by a person in a drug induced stupor. It contains episodes of surreal gags interspersed with an awful storyline. It captures just how out of hand sequels can be.
Awards & Wins
Unsurprisingly, ThanksKilling 3 hasn’t won any awards—but that’s kind of the point. It’s a satire of bad cinema and revels in its lack of refinement. However, it has earned a dedicated cult following for its commitment to absurdity.
Cast & Crew
- Director/Writers: Jordan Downey
- Key Cast:
- Jordan Downey (voice of Turkie)
- Daniel Usaj
- Joe Hartzler
- Preston Altree
The movie was made on a low budget, with a small, tight-knit team pulling double duty as actors, puppeteers, and crew. Jordan Downey, the creative mind behind the franchise, took the reins as director and also voiced the main character, Turkie.
IMDb Ratings
With a score of 3.9/10, ThanksKilling 3 has a predictably low rating, but this doesn’t necessarily reflect its entertainment value for fans of campy cinema. The film’s charm lies in how it defies conventional storytelling and embraces its silliness.
Personal Insights
With regards to most audiences, ThanksKilling 3 is best left alone as it is offensively absurd. For an audience that revels in the joy of indulging in poorly made movies, this will allow for great entertainment. The incorporation of puppets into an already crazily elaborate plot seems like it was stolen from the R-rated version of Sesame Street. It truly achieves a masterpiece level, while still maintaining the essence of a low quality horror movie. The film is best seen with friends who derive joy from strange humor and have a relaxed approach to cinema.
Cultural Significance
ThanksKilling 3 is a representation of how cult cinema should truly be embraced although the film lacks in being a meticulous and nuanced work of art. It takes aim at subpar sequels, poorly sustaining horror films, and even its viewership which makes it a satire on itself. It will not be a surprise if the fans of The Room and Sharknado find yet another favorite movie of theirs.