Smart, funny, wildly entertaining, pulls no punches... maybe not that scary, The Blackening is a solid entry into the horror genre generally but also into the subgenre that is black created horror which breaks down racial issues in fascinating ways.
Writer and actor Dewayne Perkins has crafted a truly enjoyable and thought provoking horror satire/homage/critique that also feels entirely rewatchable. On the horror side it might not be that scary but I'm not sure that's the point. It has a few jump scares and some moments of tension but without spoiling the story the actual horror is secondary to what else is going on here. Gore is kept to the side, the focus being much more on the dialogue and nuanced social analysis going on all done with a smart, sassy wit that makes it just so much fun. There is a heightened queer sensibility which is both part of the genre's legacy and somewhat of a subversion of it which amplifies the enjoyment of the film.
The cast is excellent and their chemistry is infectious. Each one has you rooting for them and each has their own unique comedic style that all play so well off each other. The Blackening in many ways feels like a lot of stars aligning to come together to make very entertaining and smart film that doesn't talk down to its audience but also has a great deal of fun.
The Blackening
Starring: Grace Byers, Jermaine Fowler, Melvin Gregg, X Mayo, Dewayne Perkins, Antoinette Robertson, Sinqua Walls, Jay Pharaoh, Yvonne Orji, Deidrich Bader
Director: Tim Story
Writers: Tracey Oliver, Dewayne Perkins
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