The Blackening: Parody of the Year

Story by Tylar Whitby. Photo courtesy of NPR. 

I recently went to the movies to see the horror comedy The Blackening. In the film, seven college friends go out of town to celebrate Juneteenth. They are in a cabin in the woods, playing spades, when they find the game room with a game called The Blackening. Trapped in the house with a killer who has a personal grudge towards them, they use their street smarts and knowledge of black history and horror movies to play the game and survive the night. 

This movie pays homage to other films, especially horror films, so if you know and love horror movies, The Blackening is the perfect watch to catch those references and easter eggs.

I have to say, the movie is scary, but it’s also very funny. Throughout the entire movie the characters were put in every stereotypical “scary movie” scenario you can imagine, from the mysterious door opening to splitting up, thinking the killer will not be in two places at the same time. However, I did find parts of the movie rushed, and the plot did not seem totally planned out, which led to poor character development for our killer. 

Overall, it had the perfect balance of horror and comedy, with scenes that will have you on the edge of your seat. I would give the movie a 9/10.

Tylar Whitby is a senior at Friendship Collegiate Academy.