The Blackening Review

Just in time for the Juneteenth holiday comes the new movie, The Blackening. This film goes full tilt from the very beginning to the last end cap. (I would recommend multiple viewings so you can take it all in). The jokes and pop culture references fly as fast as the killer’s chosen weapon, arrows.

What is The Blackening About?

Morgan (Yvonne Orji) and Shawn (Jay Pharoah) are getting ready to host their friends for a Juneteenth celebration reunion weekend. The cabin in the woods they have rented is equipped with everything, including a game room which they promptly explore.

They find the titular game, The Blackening, taunting them for attention. What unfolds shouldn’t be a huge surprise for people who enjoy a good slasher film.

When their friends start to arrive, the friends settle in for a fun night of drinking and playing Spades, thinking that Morgan and Shawn will eventually pop up. Lisa (Antoinette Robertson), Allison (Grace Byers), and Dewayne (Dewayne Perkins) come to the cabin with a secret between the women. King (Melvin Gregg) and Nnamdi (Sinqua Walls) show up later, while Shanika (X Mayo) and Clifton (Jermaine Fowler) appear after making a spectacle at a convenience store. What awaits them is their own version of The Blackening.

Is the Blackening Scary?

Director Tim Story and writers Tracy Oliver and Dewayne Perkins have made the perfect summer comedy. The action and laughs never let up and you are entertained from start to finish.

Though, it’s a “horror” movie, it really isn’t that scary, and a lot of the killing comes at different angles or off-camera. It isn’t particularly gory (though there is one scene that gets a bit out of hand, but it does so with good effect).

There aren’t even that many jump scares. It does take the whole notion of horror movies that we have been programmed to see and turns it on its head. I write that as the deepest compliment possible.

Speaking of funny, check out the best list of The Blackening quotes!

Is The Blackening appropriate for children?

Maybe leave the kiddos at home, but you should definitely go see The Blackening!

What is the Blackening rated?

This one is rated R for violence, drug use, and language.

How long is The Blackening?

The Blackening is 1 hour and 36 minutes of a great movie!

About The Blackening:

A group of Black friends reunites for a Juneteenth weekend getaway only to find themselves trapped in a remote cabin with a twisted killer. Forced to play by his rules, the friends soon realize this ain’t no ** game.