The Blackening

[The Great Owl]

Four stars

Although streaming media is all the rage these days, I still believe that there is no substitute for seeing movies in a theater setting with an audience. Such was especially the case when I caught an early screening of The Blackening this evening and enjoyed the crowd reactions. This horror comedy, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2022, deals more heavily in humor than in scares, but it still earns considerable suspense mileage because of the way that it subverts familiar “cabin in the woods” slasher movie tropes.

When several college friends reunite at an isolated rural home for the Juneteenth holiday, they find themselves at the mercy of a mysterious killer who plays diabolical games with them that center on their cultural identities. The long-standing cliché of minority characters being the first ones to die in horror movies is addressed in a cleverly self-aware fashion, as is the well-worn “Maybe we should split up.” plot device.

A slasher film should never be much more than 90 minutes long. Director Tim Story (Barbershop) has a lot to say with this blend of Friday the 13th, Saw, and Scary Movie, but still competently limits the proceedings to a 96-minute run time so that the concept never overstays its welcome. I chuckled through most of the story and even had a few belly laughs while watching how the friends kept getting themselves into absurd situations, because the script and the cast, namely Antoinette Robertson, Dewayne Perkins, Sinqua Walls, and Grace Byers, deliver well-paced interactions to get us into the headspace of each person in a universally relatable way.

I am pleased to know that I am not the only person who has a disdain for the Friends television show that thrived during the 1990s. The way that The Blackening throws a tip of that hat to that show's legacy is alone worth the price of admission.

[Zivouhr]

I'm surprised they set this comedy horror film against some tough competition opening this same weekend. A Super Hero film, an animated film, etc. But that's the challenge of opening during summer. Every weekend is crowded with competition.

Will have to see what's opening next weekend, as this weekend is booked up with movies and a holiday weekend too.

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by Zivouhr

I'm surprised they set this comedy horror film against some tough competition opening this same weekend. A Super Hero film, an animated film, etc. But that's the challenge of opening during summer. Every weekend is crowded with competition.

Will have to see what's opening next weekend, as this weekend is booked up with movies and a holiday weekend too.

The film is set during the Juneteenth weekend, so it makes a lot of sense to release it now

[Zivouhr]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

The film is set during the Juneteenth weekend, so it makes a lot of sense to release it now

Thanks. This week is Flash Batman, Elemental 3D, and next week is Indiana Jones 5, so I'll probably only have time to see this on home video/TV.

[mwynn]

Originally Posted by Zivouhr

Thanks. This week is Flash Batman, Elemental 3D, and next week is Indiana Jones 5, so I'll probably only have time to see this on home video/TV.

Indy is two weeks away.

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by mwynn

Indy is two weeks away.

[unberechenbar]

I didn't like this very much. The humor didn't work for me and there was barely any horror. I'm not sure how to describe it but something about the movie just seemed off for me. Maybe it was because I didn't connect with a lot of the stuff, like the game of spades, which I've never heard of before. The ending really came out of left field and I hate it when

[Show spoiler]the bad guy in a horror movie is killed but the final scene suggests that they will be back, especially when it's a gag like for this movie.

[MifuneFan]

Fun movie. The slasher aspect of the film is derivative by design, but its parodying of the genre never feels as silly/immature as true horror parodies like the Scary Movie franchise. As for the humor, there's nothing side-splitting here, but I still chuckled quite a bit throughout the entire movie.

With it being an all-black group, and them playing heavily on so many racial stereotypes, and tropes, I could definitely see the movie playing differently depending on who's watching it. The social commentary in the movie was also handled nicely, never feeling too in your face, but just blended in smoothly with the humor of the movie. I thought the soundtrack was really good too, and used quite effectively for certain scenes. All in all, this is a solidly entertaining slasher/comedy.

3.5/5

[Markgway]

I chuckled at the trailer which is a good start.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Markgway

I chuckled at the trailer which is a good start.

I found the film to be far superior to the trailer

[cheez avenger]

I definitely want to see this but won't be to catch it in theaters. I'll have to catch it on 4K disc.

[acroyear2]

I was sold on seeing The Blackening based on premise alone and ended up enjoying this film quite a bit. As a horror movie it falls a bit short on scares and gore, but as a comedy its quite solid (even if I didn't get many huge laughs from it or caught all the jokes). Its strength lies in its character development, which was handled impressively, considering the large cast. Jermaine Fowler in particular was a scene stealer as Clifton. The plot wasn't predictable (at least to me), particularly

[Show spoiler]Clifton returning at the end to be revealed as the villian mastermind, considering the arrow he took to the chest seemed decidedly fatal.

[Batmon77]

this is gonna be a cult classic

[Jennifer Lawrence Fan]

I didn't care much. I mean it was okay. No scary, nor funny. Unless you think all the characters calling each out the N word.

[russweiss1]

My wife and I saw this today and were honestly let down. The trailer was better than the film. It's only 96 minutes long but seemed much longer. There were a few laughs but not enough to sustain the movie. 5/10.

[Tony208]

The cast was really good especially the girls.

[knyc1]

I really dug this film, really smart and funny. I would have appreciated a lot more social commentary as it does deliver some good points. The horror aspects are a rather clunky. Characters are likeable and played well. Although I'm not African-American, I really liked that they just went for it and targeted that audience. The question game scene is great, I don't know the answers but the largely Black audience I saw it with did and they just laughed, gasped and applauded during it and I loved the energy from the experience.

[format916]

The first half I was into. When they

[Show spoiler] split up

is where it fails and falls into familiar territory. Weak in the horror aspect and kills. You can wait for this one.

[Frank TJ Mackey]

Thought this was not scary, but very very funny.

[russweiss1]

I wasn't really planning on watching this again but it's part of a Regal Unlimited promo so I'll be getting a free digital copy.