“We can’t all die first.” The horror-comedy tagline “The Blackening” references a long-standing horror trope where the black character typically symbolized in a horror movie is the first to go. The concept is so well known that Shudder’s phenomenal documentary “Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror” devoted an entire segment to breaking it down. Based on 3Peat’s 2018 short of the same name, “The Blackening” pokes fun at slashers and delivers one of the strongest satires of the genre in decades. But the film doesn’t just seek to play with horror movie conventions, it’s also a solid exploration of black American culture.
/ The film’s own Ryan Scott even got the chance to interview director Tim Story about the film, who explained that it took over four years to bring the film to the big screen. The transition from short to full-fledged feature was a smash hit and made for one of the best comedies of 2023. Here’s the official synopsis:
“The Blackening” follows a group of black friends reunited for a weekend getaway on June 16 only to find themselves trapped in a remote cabin with a masked killer who forces them to play a twisted board game by his rules, including they soon realize that it’s no fucking game either. The Blackening shatters genre tropes and asks the sardonic question: if the entire cast of a horror movie is black, who dies first?
With a screenplay by Tracy Oliver (“Girl’s Trip”) and Dewayne Perkins (“The Amber Ruffin Show”), “The Blackening” stars Grace Byers (“Empire”), Jermaine Fowler (“Coming 2 America”), Melvin Gregg (“House Party”), X Mayo (“American Auto”), Dewayne Perkins (“The Upshaws”), Antoinette Robertson (“Dear White People”), Sinqua Walls (“White Men Can’t Jump”), Jay Pharoah (“Saturday Night Live”), Yvonne Orji “Insecure”) and Diedrich Bader (“Veep”).
If you somehow missed “The Blackening” in theaters, fear not, because the movie is coming home soon.
How to watch The Blackening on digital
“The Blackening” will be available on digital and on-demand from August 15, 2023. A reminder that this is for rental and purchase, and it will be not available on a streaming service on that date. Lionsgate has yet to announce a release date. However, the arrival on VOD and on-demand means we can expect “The Blackening” to leave theaters after a solid 60-day run. The film was released on June 19 earlier this summer and has already grossed nearly $17 million against an estimated budget of $5 million. The original horror continues to reign supreme at the box office!
The Blackening is coming to physical media
Even better news for physical media connoisseurs, “The Blackening” is getting a 4K Ultra HD (+Blu-ray & Digital), Blu-ray (+DVD & Digital), and DVD combo pack from Lionsgate on August 22, 2023. Although prices vary by retailer, suggested retail prices are $29.96 for the DVD, $39.99 for the Blu-ray combo pack, and $42.99 for the 4K Ultra HD combo pack. Even better, the physical versions include bonus features, ensuring your purchase is well worth the price. Here’s what you can expect:
- Audio Commentary with Director Tim Story and Screenwriters Tracy Oliver and Dewayne Perkins
- Do the writing trick
- They can’t all speak first
- Shall we play a game?
- cabin in the woods
- “Who is the blackest? ” Game show
- Theatrical trailer
- And more!