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1 year ago
4
"Finally, a Black horror comedy that doesn’t come off too cheesy."
I think the horror-comedy genre is making a comeback. Not that it really went anywhere, but it's been a very long time since I've left a theater feeling this satisfied.
Dimension Films / ©Dimension Films, Universal / ©Universal/courtesy Everett / Everett Collection
The Blackening is filled with hilarious cultural references (like who dies first) that'll turn your favorite horror tropes upside down and sideways. It's a movie that blends social commentary with a little something scary.
Lionsgate / Courtesy Everett Collection
It's about an all-Black group of friends who stay at a cabin in the woods over Juneteenth weekend. They're forced to play a sinister game called "The Blackening," which will decide who dies first based on who is "the blackest" in the room.
Lionsgate / Courtesy Everett Collection
The new movie is directed by Tim Story (Ride Along, Fantastic Four) and written by Tracy Oliver (Girls Trip, Little) and Dwayne Perkins, who also stars in the film alongside a lineup of hilariously perfect typecast characters.
JamieMcCarthy / Getty Images for Lionsgate
Yvonne Orji, who was the haughty Molly Carter in Insecure, is Morgan.
Merie W. Wallace/HBO, Arturo Holmes / Getty Images for Lionsgate
Grace Byers, famously known for the bougie Anika Calhoun aka "Boo Boo Kitty" from Empire, is Allison.
Fox / FOX Image Collection via Getty Images, Amy Sussman / Getty Images for Deadline Hollywood
Antoinette Robertson, who played the uppity Colandrea "Coco" Conners in Dear White People, is Lisa.
Netflix, Arturo Holmes / Getty Images for Lionsgate
Sinqua Walls, who was Kamal Allen in the new White Men Can't Jump remake, is Nnamdi.
20th Century Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection, Arturo Holmes / Getty Images for Lionsgate
And Melvin Gregg, who was Ben Chandler from the TV adaptation Nine Perfect Strangers, is King in the film.
Vince Valitutti / ©Hulu / Courtesy Everett Collection, Arturo Holmes / Getty Images for Lionsgate
It's a film for a jam-packed theater that plays off the audience's reactions. And speaking of which, here are some spoiler-free responses about the movie to get you stoked:
STUDIO COMEDIES ARE ALIVE AND WELL 👏🏾 #TheBlackening is genuinely the funniest movie of the year. Legit belly laughs throughout. A perfect meta-horror comedy where every character has a moment to shine. A new Juneteenth classic! Already buying another ticket for this weekend pic.twitter.com/Ajndymp8Df
— Robert Butler III (@DirectorRB3) June 14, 2023ok. so. #TheBlackening is hysterical. culturally attuned. well-performed. for us w/ no pretense to explain ourselves. X Mayo = star. Dewayne is funny and endearing. Grace stands out with cackle-worthy delivery. So encouraging to know this film was greenlit and released.
— Serena's Racquet (@kendalljamaal) June 15, 2023This ain’t even something I didn’t like but it had so many jokes per minute lots of it got lost because of how loud ppl were laughing. I gotta see it again asap
— Brandon Collins (@americancollins) June 15, 2023Just came from a screening of #TheBlackening and WOW. Finally a black horror comedy that doesn’t come off too cheesy. All jokes landed and the scary scenes were thrilling and suspenseful. I’m happy seeing a screen full of representation of each character.
— Tha Don 😈 (@Kahronie) June 14, 2023
English (US) ·