Tim Story's “The Blackening” distinguishes itself from standard horror movies; it’s a comedic send-up of the genre with a sharp point. The insightful and witty story crafted by co-writers Tracy Oliver and Dewayne Perkins incorporates relevant social observations regarding stereotypes and what it means to be "black," which provides this clever satire with an unusual and refreshing angle. It creates discomfort, is exceptionally intelligent, and proves to be quite entertaining. A group of friends—Perkins, Antoinette Robertson, Grace Byers, X Mayo, Jermaine Fowler, Yvonne Orji, Jay Pharoah, Melvin Gregg, Sinqua Walls—organize a reunion at a secluded cabin during the Juneteenth holiday weekend, unaware of a threat nearby. They find themselves being hunted by an assailant wearing a mask who intends to kill them all, beginning with whoever is considered the “blackest.” The killer uses a distinctly racist-looking board game that seems to evaluate their "blackness" through racially charged questions. This puts pressure on the group's relationships as they struggle to stay alive throughout the night. The concept for the movie is amusing and inventive, and the predominantly Black cast delivers admirably. With excellent comedic timing, the actors are well-chosen and engaging. The characters feel fully realized, contributing to this being one of the more thoughtful horror films in recent years. The film’s tone evokes a feeling similar to “Scary Movie” blended with “Get Out,” but presented in an original fashion. It isn't particularly frightening, nor as humorous as it had the potential to be, though these shortcomings (and its predictable elements) are compensated for by the perceptive writing. While Story doesn’t completely succeed at merging both genres, there is still much to appreciate. “The Blackening” is a film that tests limits, provokes viewers, and will likely spark numerous in-depth conversations. What's even better is that it manages to be an enjoyable experience as well.

Source on TMDB