“Harvested 3” is the latest in the horror franchise aiming to take over Thanksgiving and provide more opportunities for diverse actors.
When it comes to just about any subgenre you can imagine — from zombies to vampires to slashers to ghosts and beyond — the genre is oversaturated to the point of gluttony. No matter what you’re into, there’s a cornucopia of options for you to feast on. However, despite the popularity of holiday horror, beginning with absolute classics like Black Christmas (1974) and Halloween (1978), one holiday has never received much of a seat at the table. I’m talking, of course, about Thanksgiving.
It’s surprising, actually, that this holiday so often goes overlooked by horror filmmakers, given how horrific the origins of the holiday really are. It’s ripe for skewering and deserves better. Plus, many of us find ourselves trapped in awkward family dinner hell and could use a tasty escape.
Thankfully, one franchise aims to give us what we desperately crave: killer Thanksgiving horror with a meaty story and juicy kills.
Harvested is a Holiday Horror Film franchise centered around a small-town farmer that returns from the dead to serve vengeance on Thanksgiving Day. Although it is a horror slasher film, it contains many cultural themes and undertones that shine a light on racial atrocities from the past.
With an original storyline, Harvested introduces a new monster named Harold Rice, aka the Harvest Monster, a deranged farmer that owns all the land in a small town. He is targeted by rival farmers and large corporations that want his land and crops. After being maimed and burned alive and robbed of his crops and land on Thanksgiving Day, Harold Rice returns from the dead to serve vengeance on Thanksgiving night.
Harold Rice is played by Gregor Haley, with SFX creature concept design by none other than Veniesa Dillion and soundtrack music from hip hop artists Cazo Cas, Judell Rome, and ClintD.
As a horror film by a black filmmaker, Ali West Ashe, that is led by black actors and features a black monster, Harvested has understandably drawn comparisons to Candyman (2021). Although it premiered months after Candyman (2021), it was written and conceptualized in 2019.
Harvested (2021): The First Serving of Thanksgiving Horror
Harvested (2021) follows a group of rappers who make a motel pit stop in a small town while taking a road trip on Thanksgiving Day. Their stay is cut short by the town legend who owns the night. The cult classic boasts an all-star indie cast with Jordan Peele-esque creativity and horror elements from the 1960s.
Starring Elester Latham, Ariel Brown, Dean Wil, Miranda Kathleen, Gregor Haley, Penny Q, Shane Liburd, and Andrew Garrett.
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Harvested 2 (2022): Still #1 on Culture Forward TV
Harvested 2 (2022): The Legend of Harold Rice is the sequel to Harvested (2021).
A group of social media influencers travels to Hayfork, CA, on Thanksgiving Day to get footage of the Harvest Monster. While chasing fame, fortune, and likes, they soon come face to face with the urban legend who owns the night.
Starring an all-female cast, including Cortney Elise, Ruby Lee Dove, Hana Wu, Meg Cherilus, Amber Perez, Jenna Nimri, and Gregor Haley, Harvested 2 is now streaming for FREE on Culture Forward TV on Roku.
Harvested 3 (2023): Get Ready to Dig In on 10.23.23!
Harvested 3 (2023): Stay Off of His Land is expected to be a police procedural horror that uncovers the Thanksgiving Day murders. Gregor Haley will return as Harold Rice, and Veniesa Dillion will be rejoining as the creature concept SFX artist. Cazo Cas, Judell Rome, and ClintD will be lacing the soundtrack.
The third film in the popular franchise was produced by Culture Forward Media Group LLC, distributed by Culture Forward TV, and written and Directed by the 23-time International award-winning filmmaker Ali West Ashe (Alex West).
You can expect his usual creative immersion, rawness, and visionary flare that is distinctively unique. The self-taught filmmaker proclaims that Harvested 2 is his best work yet, but promises to up the ante for Harvested 3 (2023), which will be released to Culture Forward TV on 10.23.23.
Ashe had this to say about the film:
“I realize that a Thanksgiving Day horror film is a wavy concept, so I hope people can appreciate the creativity and undertones. I wanted to bring a new black monster to the culture and make him more of a hero-villain than an evil presence. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself rooting for him as the franchise unfolds.”
Harvested is a Culture Forward TV Original Film.
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