With a concept so good you can't believe it hasn't already been done, 'The Blackening (2023)' pastiches the horror genre from the perspective of its black characters and the black audiences who so often have to watch the people that look like them die first. It's a comedy-horror that leans further towards the former but is still competent at the latter and has a really strong grip on the tropes it so effectively satirises. The first act is perhaps a little sloppy, spending time setting up its various dynamics but lacking any real suspense (after its opening sequence) and feeling a bit light on the laughs, too. However, though it takes a little while to come together, it really lifts off once its characters become aware of the danger they're in. At a certain point, you realise that you're having an absolute blast and have been for quite a while. It's generally really funny and the humour always feels authentic to the characters, meaning that even the silliest and most obviously 'written' jokes feel totally at home even in the narrative's deadly scenario. It's a well-written, witty experience that uses its self-aware nature to make some keen observations about its genre and black culture in general (and, of course, the ways in which they intersect). It's fairly light, but it does have some tense sequences and its cast are all charming enough that you don't want to see any of them leave the picture early. Although its slightly underwhelming ending is very predictable, the flick subverts expectation on occasion and features a few satisfying surprises. It's a really fun time, especially once it gets properly going. It isn't as good as its most obvious inspiration, 'Scream (1996)', but it very much feels in the same spirit as that seminal slasher (even if it isn't anywhere near as compelling when it comes to its slashing). It's a really enjoyable film that has its finger on the pulse and should have you chuckling throughout.
Review of The Blackening
