The Blackening (film)

The Blackening is a 2022 American horror comedy film directed by Tim Story and written by Tracy Oliver and Dewayne Perkins. It is based on a 2018 comedy sketch of the same name by the comedy troupe 3Peat, which included Perkins.

The film stars Grace Byers, Jermaine Fowler, Melvin Gregg, X Mayo, Dewayne Perkins, Antoinette Robertson, Sinqua Walls, and Jay Pharoah. It centers around a group of Black friends who reunite for a Juneteenth weekend getaway, only to find themselves targeted by a masked killer who forces them to play a racially charged board game. The game tests their "Blackness" and survival skills, forcing them to confront stereotypes and their own relationships.

The Blackening is a satirical take on the slasher film genre, using humor and social commentary to explore themes of race, identity, and representation in horror films. The film aims to subvert common horror tropes and stereotypes associated with Black characters in the genre. It was initially released in a limited theatrical run and expanded wider, receiving mixed to positive reviews, with critics praising its humor and social commentary while noting inconsistencies in tone and pacing.