‘The Blackening’ Review: Tim Story Centers The Black Gaze In Horror Comedy Written By Tracy Oliver
21.06.2023 - 02:11
/ deadline.com
The Blackening is a potent blend of comedy, and thrills that parodies and challenges the genre’s tropes, specifically those around a mostly Black cast. Under the direction of Tim Story and script by Tracey Oliver, it pays homage to some iconic horror franchises like Scream, Friday the 13th, and Saw with a bit of Cabin In The Woods sprinkled in for some extra razzle dazzle. In the midst of the chaotic hijinks, the narrative centers Black American culture and all of its complexities. The film stars Jermaine Fowler, Antoinette Robertson, Dewayne Perkins, Sinqa Walls, Grace Byers, X Mayo, Melvin Gregg, with Yvonne Orji, and Jay Pharoah.
The story starts at a cabin in the woods like most horror movies these days. Morgan (Orji) and Shawn (Pharoah), a couple who are a part of a group of college friends reuniting after 10 years. The plan is to vacation together and have a grand ole party. When the two find a game called the Blackening in one of the back rooms, they get curious. Equipt with a sambo-faced timer, play pieces, and voice over, the duo gets curious and engages with the game. The first question is: “Name a Black character that survives any horror film.” They answer the question wrong, so now there is hell to pay.
The rest of the group Lisa (Robertson), Nnamdi (Walls), Dewayne (Perkins), Allison (Byers), Shanika (Mayo), King (Gregg) and Clifton (Fowler) arrives much later, and made sure to bring all their personal baggage with them. Lisa and Nnamdi are in a relationship again after being broken up for 10 years and Dwanye is upset they’re back together, King is trying to leave his gangster past behind, Shanika and Allison, just want to drink and get high, while Cliffton, the nerd of the group, just wants to fit in.