Eli Roth’s trampoline scene fromGrindhousestands as one of the anthology’s most infamous moments, and the horror director returns to break down the iconic kill. Released in 2007,Grindhouseis a double feature paying homage to 1970s exploitation cinema, comprised of Quentin Tarantino’s slasherDeath Proofand Robert Rodriguez’s zombie-comedyPlanet Terror. The anthology also included faux trailers by prominent horror directors,including Roth’sThanksgiving, a holiday-themed slasher trailer packed with over-the-top gore and satirical humor.
In a conversation withScreen Rant’s Joe Deckelmeier at Fan Expo San Francisco (whereScreen Rantwas a media partner),Roth revisitedThanksgiving’s now-iconic trampoline gag, where a cheerleader doing a split meets a gruesome end on a knife. Roth contended that this scene became the standout gross-out moment inGrindhouse, beating the efforts of his fellow gore directors. Here’s what he had to say:
I remember with Grindhouse when Quentin [Tarantino]… It was obviously a contest with all the directors to see who can get the most shocking moment in the movie.
When I did that girl with the knife and the trampoline, we literally had the girl do a split. She left, popped the knife up, and then in editing I cut to the turkey stab.People were like, “That was the most disgusting thing in the movie,” and it was the cost of a trampoline screen.That was our biggest budget thing in the movie because to really get the dust, we have to rip through a trampoline. That was expensive, but we’re like, “It’s worth it.”
It just goes to show that often the cheapest gag is the most effective.I like doing stuff when I’m making a movie that’s like, “This one is very, very heavily prosthetic and over-engineered…” Going back to the trampoline scene, “That’s going to take a lot of work and a lot of prep lot,” but then we’re like, “What if we can get away with that? How do I do the knife on the trampoline?” Which is just an edit.
There’s literallyno makeup, no effects, no blood, nothing,and people are like,“That’s the sickest thing you’ve ever done.”How do I get away with that? It’s so primally satisfying when you just do a reverse shot and the audience jumps. It’s great when you can can pull it off of with a cheap gag.
What Eli Roth’s Grossest Grindhouse Scare Means
The Director’s Shocking Scene Reflects His Splatter Film Legacy
Eli Roth’s workinGrindhouseshowcases his mastery of the splatter genre,where he prioritizes creative, visceral horror over expensive effects. The infamous trampoline scene highlights how a well-crafted edit and clever visual storytelling can rival—and even surpass—high-budget gore. His films have stood as a testament to the timeless appeal of well-executed practical horror that shocks and entertains.
Roth has long been celebrated as a pioneer in the splatter genre, with films likeHostelandCabin Fevercementing his reputation for realistically violent spectacles. His 2023 adaptation ofThanksgivingexpanded on the story of his originalGrindhousetrailer as social commentary on excess consumerism through holiday-themed carnage. The film received critical praise for its balance of satire and gore as a small town in Massachusetts is dealt a grueling fate by a killer in a John Carver mask.
Every Fake Movie Trailer In Grindhouse
The most memorable parts of Grindhouse are Planet Terror and Death Proof, but the project also included fake trailers that are worth watching.
WithThanksgiving 2set to begin filming in March 2025, Roth has established a burgeoning franchise. Following in the footsteps of Robert Rodriguez’sMacheteand Jason Eisener’sHobo with a Shotgun,Thanksgivingis now the third full-length movie adapted fromGrindhouse’s faux trailers. Roth’s creative momentum suggests that the franchise could continue to deliver its grindhouse spectacle that expands on the director’s mastery of low-budget but effective horror.
Our Take On Eli Roth’s Grossest Grindhouse Scare
How Roth’s Trampoline Gag Became An Unforgettable Horror Classic
Roth’s trampoline scene is a perfect example of how simple setups can leave the most lasting impressions. The ingenuity behind this “cheap gag” proves thatgreat horror isn’t about the budget but about understanding the audience psyche. The moment is shocking, visceral, and, most importantly, unforgettable. Roth’s ability to turn his faux trailer fromGrindhouseinto a full-length featureThanksgivingwhile retaining its grisly charm speaks to his creativity as a filmmaker. Whether inlow-budget grindhouse projectsor franchise-level horror, Roth consistently delivers boundary-pushing scares that stick with audiences long after the credits roll.
Grindhouse
Cast
Grindhouse is a double-feature film directed by Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez. Released in 2007, the movie showcases two back-to-back exploitation-style narratives: Rodriguez’s Planet Terror and Tarantino’s Death Proof. Bridging the two films are faux trailers directed by various filmmakers, adding to the retro cinema homage. Starring Kurt Russell, Rose McGowan, and Rosario Dawson, Grindhouse combines elements of horror, action, and thriller genres in a unique cinematic experience.
