DVD Corner

The Blackening Blu-ray Review

“The Blackening” is more comedy than horror.

Based on the 2018 short film of the same name, “The Blackening” is a horror comedy film that finds a group of friends coming together at a cabin in the woods to celebrate Juneteenth. The first to arrive (couple Morgan and Shawn) discover a board game called The Blackening that they decide to play. Big mistake. The two find themselves being preyed upon by a killer (or perhaps more than one?) who certainly doesn’t like wrong answers. Shortly thereafter, the rest of the friends arrive (Lisa, Dewayne, King, Clifton, Allison, Shanika and Nnamdi) where they too start to play the game which leads to deadly consequences. Will anyone make it out alive?

Given that “The Blackening” is based on a short film, it’s no surprise that the Tracy Oliver and Dewayne Perkins scripted Black horror comedy feels like a one-note stretched out comedy sketch. While the writers cleverly poke fun at horror tropes and racial stereotypes, you’re left wanting a bit more than what we get in this satire. It’s not quite as biting and edgy as it could have been and plays it safe in the comedy department. Ultimately, it sort of becomes what it’s trying to subvert. 

The film does deserve props for its attention to character though. Considering just how many characters are in this film, you spend a good amount of time with most of them. That’s something that tends to get lost in a lot of slasher fare. 

Director Tim Story has had a varied career in genre films helming everything from “Barbershop” and “Fantastic Four” to “Ride Along” and “Tom And Jerry.” Now, he is entering the horror comedy realm. Despite paying homage to the likes of “Scream” and “Saw,” the horror element feels secondary to the comedy. That’s not to say there aren’t moments of hand-sweating tension, but for the most part, the comedy is tonally more present. 

Cast wise, everyone is game for this movie. Jermaine Fowler steals the show as the nerdy and mysterious Clifton as does Dewayne Perkins as Dewayne (who co-wrote the film). Grace Byers (Allison), Sinqua Walls (Nnamdi), Melvin Gregg (King), Antoinette Robertson (Lisa) and X Mayo (Shanika) are also noteworthy in their respective roles.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.39:1 1080p. Grade: A- Note: This title is also available on 4K.

Audio Track: Dolby Atmos. Grade: A- 

Extras:
* DVD copy and Digital copy
* “Do The Write Thing”- A featurette on how a short sketch transitioned into a big screen feature film.
* Commentary by director Tim Story and writers Tracy Oliver and Dewayne Perkins
* Theatrical trailer
* Dewayne dance deleted scene and 4 ½ minutes of outtakes.
* “They Can’t All Talk First”- A 9 minute cast and crew roundtable discussion.
* “Shall We Play A Game?’ covers the board game.
* “Cabin In The Woods” is all about the shooting location.
* “Who’s The Blackest? Game Show”- A game featuring cast and crew members.

September 9, 2023 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Horror Comedy, Slasher Movie, The Blackening, The Blackening Blu-ray Review