The Blackening (2022)

July 5, 2023 12:58 PM

[TRAILER] A group of black friends reunite for a Juneteenth weekend getaway only to find themselves trapped in a remote cabin with a twisted killer. A satirical horror comedy skewering horror tropes and racial stereotypes.

Starring Antoinette Robertson, Sinqua Walls, Dewayne Perkins, X Mayo, Melvin Gregg, Grace Byers, Jermaine Fowler, Diedrich Bader, Yvonne Orji, Jay Pharoah.

Directed by Tim Story (Barbershop). Written by Tracy Oliver & Dewayne Perkins, based on the 2018 short film of the same name by the comedy troupe 3Peat.

86% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Now playing in theaters. JustWatch listing.

posted by DirtyOldTown (3 comments total)

This was very, very funny. Lots of jokes about the Black experience in America (most of which I think I got) and on horror movie clichés (all of which I got). The movie takes its times setting up the characters, which ultimately pays off, but the movie flows much better when the gags are mixed with horror and played at fever pitch.

As a white person watching this, the part that tickled me the most was the group's reaction to Diedrich Bader's character, the aptly named Ranger White.

"How do we know we can trust you?"
"I'm one of the good ones!"
"That's exactly what one of the bad ones would say. Give us an example."
"Um, uh... okay. If I got an invitation to the cookout, I'd be honored, but I wouldn't go."
"Excuse me?"
"B-b-because I would know as a white law enforcement officer that my intrusion into an all-black space would create discomfort and kill the vibe."
"Okay, that's actually pretty good."
posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:03 PM on July 5, 2023 [13 favorites]

I enjoyed this one. No matter what happened the characters just could not stop cracking wise and going on about their interpersonal shit. The scene where one of the guys is fighting one of the redneck twins and making fun of him because he couldn't fight (like, at all) was particularly hilarious, as was everyone's reaction on learning the one guy voted for Trump (twice).
posted by orange swan at 6:20 PM on July 31, 2023 [1 favorite]

Loved it! A thoughtful and unapologetically Black lens kept me laughing and educated and thrilled, all at the same time.

Now 87% Fresh on RT. Score keeps getting higher as more folks watch this great film!

I’ll be rewatching this every Juneteenth.
posted by edithkeeler at 6:49 AM on August 3, 2023