Horror-comedy is a subgenre that is very difficult to nail. But when a horror-comedy hits all the right notes, it can be the perfect mix of scares and laughter. And judging by the test audience footage used in the new trailer for “The Blackening,” this is a film that a lot of people are really going to enjoy seeing in theaters.
As seen in the trailer, “The Blackening” follows a group of Black friends who go to a remote cabin for a weekend getaway. However, when they arrive, they discover a mysterious game room with a game they have never seen before. Shortly after, a masked individual tells them they have to play the game or they die. As you might expect, this is a horror-comedy that takes on all the common tropes in horror films, especially when it comes to the treatment of Black characters.
The film stars Grace Byers, Jermaine Fowler, Melvin Gregg, X Mayo, Dewayne Perkins, Antoinette Robertson, Sinqua Walls, Jay Pharoah, and Yvonne Orji. “The Blackening” is directed by Tim Story and written by Tracy Oliver (“Girls Trip”). Story is probably best known for his comedies, such as “Barbershop,” “Think Like a Man,” and the “Ride Along” franchise.
“The Blackening” arrives in theaters on June 16. You can watch the trailer below.
Here’s the synopsis:
The Blackening centers around a group of Black friends who reunite 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 motherf****** game. Directed by Tim Story (Ride Along, Think Like A Man, Barbershop) and screenplay and screen story by Tracy Oliver (Girls Trip, Harlem) & Dewayne Perkins (The Amber Ruffin Show, Brooklyn Nine-Nine), The Blackening skewers genre tropes and poses the sardonic question: if the entire cast of a horror movie is Black, who dies first?
