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A new Czech horror film will turn a classic American holiday into a blood-soaked nightmare. Thankskilling Day, an English-language slasher film from co-directors Petr Kubík and JC Kovář, just dropped its first trailer ahead of a debut in cinemas later this year.
Set for release on Nov. 27—Thanksgiving in the United States—the film follows six college students whose friendly escape room challenge turns into a deadly fight for survival. Filmed on location in Prague’s real-life industrial ruins, Thankskilling Day blends slasher tropes with a uniquely Czech setting and sensibility.
The first trailer showcases grim visuals, intense action, and a looming sense of dread. While the film’s title may provoke a smirk, its tone appears serious and violent, anchored by claustrophobic sets and sinister local lore.
From urban legends to escape room terror
Writer and co-director Kovář drew inspiration for the film from chilling urban legends about the catacombs beneath Prague’s former industrial zones. The story references myths tied to a Cold War-era factory site, which the filmmakers used to build an atmosphere of historical dread.
“We drew a lot from legends about mysterious catacombs under old factory halls in Prague,” Kovář said in a press release. “That helped us create a dense, intense atmosphere.”
The movie was filmed at Futurento, a real-life entertainment venue built inside a former ČKD industrial facility. Its eerie concrete corridors and disused machinery add authentic weight to the film’s visuals.
Kovář, who also wrote the screenplay, worked with producer Petr Kubík to create what they describe as a “fresh” contribution to a genre rarely explored in Czech cinema.
“The horror genre isn’t as common in Czech cinema, so we wanted to offer something original not just to Czech viewers, but to international audiences as well,” Kubík added.
International ambitions and a diverse cast
Although a Czech production, Thankskilling Day was filmed entirely in English and features a cast that mixes local talent with international faces.
The lead ensemble includes Sára Korbelová, Tomáš Weber, Aneta Kernová, Jana Findlay, Darren Jenkins-Johnston, and Fabio Morelli. Supporting roles are filled by Czech actors including Vladimír Polívka, Ján Jackuliak, and Tomáš Novotný.
The decision to film in English was a strategic one. After working on fantasy-adventure films like Princess Cursed in Time (Princezna zakletá v čase) and its sequel, Kubík and Kovář are aiming for broader international distribution with their latest project. Czech subtitles will be provided for domestic screenings.
The trailer suggests a brutal horror movie, but the filmmakers hint at more beneath the surface. By drawing from Prague’s haunted industrial past, Thankskilling Day aims to weave in psychological unease alongside its physical threats.
The new Czech film isn't the first Thanksgiving-themed horror project to shoot in Prague. Director Eli Roth filmed his original trailer for Thanksgiving, included in the release of 2007's Grindhouse, in Prague and Kladno while he was shooting Hostel: Part II in the Czech capital.
