Have you ever felt the need to yell at the screen while a character in a horror film decides to investigate some strange noise they’ve heard? Or how about after identifying that there’s a killer around, a group of friends decides to split up to increase their chances of survival? These tropes have consistently been used in the genre, but director Tim Story is here to kiss them goodbye in his latest horror comedy/satire The Blackening. Written by Tracy Oliver and Dewayne Perkins and based on the digital short film, this hilarious feature deconstructs the genre through a Black cultural lens while unpacking what “Blackness” in America truly means.
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To celebrate Juneteenth, seven Black friends reunite at a cabin in the woods after years of not seeing each other. The longtime group of friends, including Lisa (Antoinette Robertson), Dewayne (Dewayne Perkins), Nnamdi (Sinqua Wells), Allison (Grace Byers), Clifton (Jermaine Fowler), Shanika (X Mayo), and King (Melvin Gregg) all join one another for a weekend of friendly banter and fun. But when their friend Morgan (Yvonne Orji) ends up on a TV screen, apparently kidnapped and tortured, the group must play a game to figure out who among them is the blackest. And the masked archer who set the trap is more than willing to play dirty and get blood on his hands.

It feels like it was a long time coming, but The Blackening is the kind of film that celebrates the horror genre we know and love while also deconstructing it in meaningful ways. Everything about the genre remains intact, but with Perkins and Oliver’s script comes an exhilarating re-characterization. All the silly horror tropes, which tend to come off more annoying than anything, are finally reexamined in a way that will resonate with viewers of all types. For example, checking for danger when you hear a creepy sound, splitting up to survive, and ensuring the killer is indeed dead. These are just some of the tropes shredded, and they’re presented in a way that is hysterical and engaging every step of the way.

Through the seven main characters, The Blackening analyzes what it means to be Black in America through the game the mask archer intends for them to play. Think of it as a comical mash-up between any slasher film with Saw, and a sprinkle of a Black game night thrown in for good measure. The script also cleverly shows who each character is based off the answers they give during the trivia game. And even though more time is spent on central characters, every person gets their time to shine through show-stopping sequences that will keep you glued to the screen. Dewayne Perkins is a standout. His comedic timing will keep you laughing until it hurts.

Everything we love about the Black community is celebrated in this film without making a mockery of the culture. Specifically, in the context of examining the true meaning of Blackness, Oliver and Perkins demonstrate the diversity that exists within the community. In doing so, it criticizes old biases and myths in a way that is engaging. However, it never forgets to be just as educational. The horror elements are some of the weak points, which doesn’t say much considering they are still on par with similar films. But one thing that could have been better was the killer’s motivation. It’s as weak as reasons come, but at least it doesn’t take away from the overall enjoyment of the film.

One of the best recent horror comedies, The Blackening is that rare gem that contains a balance of decent scares, timely commentary, and funny dialogue. The film includes a healthy amount of Black cultural references and inside jokes that the Black community will certainly appreciate, but it never isolates fans of other demographics. Through great writing and even better execution, the team behind this flavorful satire will keep you on your toes while laughing from beginning to end. And just when you think it can’t get any better, the film closes out with sequences that will have you cheering nonstop.

The Blackening is now playing in theaters. The film is 96 minutes long and rated R for violence, pervasive language, and drug use.