As a film enthusiast with a deep appreciation for diverse storytelling, I found “The Blackening” to be a refreshing and thought-provoking horror comedy that resonated deeply with me. Growing up as a Black woman, I’ve often seen myself or my friends represented in stereotypical roles within the genre, so it was truly gratifying to see a movie like this where we were portrayed in all our complexity.
Blending terror with humor is a tricky act that many filmmakers either master or fail spectacularly. Fortunately, the resurgence of horror satire in the 2010s has provided viewers with ample doses of fear and laughter, as seen in movies like Nope, Vampires vs. The Bronx, and Zombieland. However, films such as The Blackening have raised the bar for humorous critique by not shying away from poking fun at both the genre and society itself.
In a surprising turn of events, the horror satire titled “The Blackening” became a stealth success following its release on Juneteenth in 2023, managing to secure a spot among the top 10 films during its debut weekend. Critics, including those from TopMob, have praised the movie, appreciating it despite its minor flaws. After having watched this thought-provoking Juneteenth-inspired horror comedy, I find myself constantly reflecting on it, particularly admiring the spot-on satire it presents in the horror genre.
Commenting on Horror Movie Tropes
Few movies can boast about defining their genre as explicitly as “The Blackening” does. The movie begins with the group’s arrival, where Dewayne raises questions about the unusual circumstances surrounding their weekend Airbnb stay. Even though the hosts were nowhere to be found, offering a false excuse, it only served to heighten his suspicions, a point I will discuss further.
Yet, the movie becomes overly complex when the spade game scene is introduced, since it brings up the worn-out trope that Black characters are usually the first to die in horror films. This moment, though uplifting, served as a powerful critique of the genre. It sparked an intense discussion about Black representation within horror movies, with Clifton receiving most of the group’s criticism.
Indeed, the satire cleverly addressed the character archetype of the chaste or celibate protagonist through Lisa and Nnamdi. There are also horror genre clichés such as the enigmatic, game-like villain and the unidentified financiers behind the group’s weekend retreat. However, the overused trope is critiqued when the group is forced to separate in order to evade the killer, a point highlighted by Allison.
Paying Homage and Breaking Black Horror Character Stereotypes
Similar to the humorous satire “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka,” known for its blaxploitation roots, the comedy fearlessly embraced and mocked Black horror stereotypes throughout its run. Consistently, the cast drew attention to typical horror character traits that have been prevalent in the genre.
In a fresh and straightforward rewording: The principal characters didn’t shy away from embracing stereotypes. King portrayed the reformed criminal, whereas Dewayne seemed like the common trope of the flamboyant gay best friend, who was overly concerned about the women in his life. The group continually made jokes, referencing familiar horror clichés and scenes, such as the deaths of Jada Pinkett Smith and Omar Epps during the opening of Scream 2. As a fan of horror movies, it was enjoyable to see them highlight these tropes.
As the group criticized the stereotypes, they still found themselves slipping into them, as evident in the board game scene where they accused each other of their actions and backgrounds. However, this does not imply that the characters conform to the Black horror character archetype. On the contrary, the movie incorporated numerous instances defying stereotypes, such as Shanika swimming across the lake and Allison displaying Wolverine-like behavior against the first assailant.
Uncovering The Nuances of Blackness
Discussing and challenging Black stereotypes only touched upon some shared traits and peculiarities within the African diaspora, as the friends discovered when they found themselves embroiled in “diaspora disputes” after playing The Blackening board game twice in their cellar.
The situation was tense, awkward, and revealing, as the group found themselves debating who among them was the most culturally identified as Black. This conversation took an interesting turn when Nnamdi, who was raised in America, was labeled the Blackest. Additionally, class distinctions emerged as the group criticized Shanika for displaying stereotypical behaviors, leading to a heated exchange between them.
The situation turned political when Clifton admitted he voted for Donald Trump twice, sparking anger among the group. This revelation ignited a broader discussion about Black cultural values versus individuality, with each character sharing something they appreciate that isn’t typically associated with Black culture. As the debate unfolded, class differences became apparent as those who had more and those who had less engaged in heated arguments.
Discrimination against homosexuality within the African-American community was highlighted when Dewayne spoke about the bias he faced beyond his circle of friends during a game’s spontaneous query. The discussion then shifted to colorism and multiracial identity, as the group brought up King’s past life in a gang and his marriage to a white woman, as well as Allison identifying herself as Black, despite having a white father.
Black Women as The Saviors
In many horror films, Black women tend to fit into two main roles: either as the supportive friend who adds diversity to the group or as a nurturing, motherly figure. Examples from the genre include Brenda from “Scary Movie,” Karla from “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer,” and Georgina from “Get Out.
In contrast to other horror films, this production showcased three diverse Black women characters: Lisa, an attorney grappling with love; Allison, socially engaged; and Shanika, a party-loving gal. It was delightful to observe these unique facets of Black womanhood within a single movie. Their exchanges – both spoken and unspoken – were engaging, but the most enjoyable moments were when they had to band together to survive.
As one of the final three gamers in our group, we reached the climactic stage. Yet, it seemed an old movie trope surfaced – Black female characters stepping up as protectors and saviors for everyone else. This trope became apparent when Lisa, frustrated by always putting others first, brutally took down the second villain. Up until that point, it felt like just another spooky parody. But her heartfelt speech was a subtle yet powerful homage to the everyday mask Black women wear. It was an eye-opening and uncomfortable scene, fitting for any horror movie.
Offering Social Commentary on Horror and Real Life
In the same vein as contemporary horror movies, the film “The Blackening” fearlessly tackled some societal stereotypes using both terror and wit. Its satirical approach enabled it to deliver sharp and nuanced commentary on these topics.
As the group encountered multiple unfavorable encounters, the topic of community-police relations became relevant following Dewayne’s suggestion to contact law enforcement. To express Black Americans’ apprehension and mistrust towards the police, the group employed humor. They were concerned that officers might mistake them for intruders and respond with deadly force instead of assisting the situation. However, the movie concluded by referencing the Civil Rights Movement when the police ultimately arrived, dousing the remaining friends with a water hose rather than using weapons. Although the film employed comedy, it touched upon the antagonistic sentiments that exist between the law and black citizens.
Indeed, a recurring theme in the movie is the white savior trope, which was embodied by Ranger White. Upon their arrival at the cabin, he displayed suspicion and racial prejudice towards the group of friends. This encounter mirrored historical tensions between Black Americans and law enforcement. Following their split, Nnamdi, Lisa, and Dewayne encountered Ranger White again, initially believing him to be the killer due to their distrust. However, they eventually followed him to his patrol car. Despite this, Ranger White overstepped his savior role by pursuing the real killer, ultimately leading to his capture, as shown in the movie’s conclusion.
The Blackening” boldly addressed horror stereotypes and comedic aspects without mincing words, highlighting the genre’s amusing yet stark realities concerning Black audiences and characters. The blend of humor and terror made it a standout horror-comedy akin to Scary Movie. I found the diverse cast of friends remarkably relatable, almost like people I know in real life. If rumors of sequels are true, I eagerly anticipate seeing more of this group or a fresh ensemble similar to Knives Out. Fingers crossed that the actors’ desires for exciting horror crossovers come true.
For now, feel free to enjoy one of the top comedies from 2023 by either renting or purchasing it on Amazon Prime Video. Alternatively, consider watching The Blackening, which is known for being one of the greatest horror movies ever made.
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2024-10-31 16:07