"The Blackening" Is Finally Here, And Everybody Is Falling In Love With The New Horrifying Comedy
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yvonne Orji, who was the haughty Molly Carter in Insecure, is Morgan.
Grace Byers, famously known for the bougie Anika Calhoun aka "Boo Boo Kitty" from Empire, is Allison.
Antoinette Robertson, who played the uppity Colandrea "Coco" Conners in Dear White People, is Lisa.
Sinqua Walls, who was Kamal Allen in the new White Men Can't Jump remake, is Nnamdi.
And Melvin Gregg, who was Ben Chandler from the TV adaptation Nine Perfect Strangers, is King in the film.
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:
#TheBlackening this one is for us yll! it’s clever, quick whited and really does an amazing job at delving inside black tropes turning them upside down, in depth! The suspense is just as riveting as the humor. Literally laughing out loud! The makings of a new classic for sure.… pic.twitter.com/gJHU0QutsX
— Thaddy ☆ (@ItsHippyPotter) June 14, 2023
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, 2023
ok. 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, 2023
Aight who all saw #TheBlackening and what DIDN’T you like?! Cause I just need y’all all on one thread when I cuss later. 🙃😂 But no … seriously what didn’t y’all like? pic.twitter.com/jikzPTUjMf
— Shaye | This Barbie is A Mess (@shayewyllie) June 15, 2023
This 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, 2023
Just 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
