As a Black horror film fan, I do know the operating joke about Black individuals all the time dying first in horror movies. As of 2025, many thrilling Black-centered horror motion pictures exist, nevertheless it took Hollywood some time to make them frequently. There are nonetheless not sufficient. Subsequently, it is extremely intelligent of The Blackening screenwriters Dewayne Perkins and Tracy Oliver to base the movie on this idea. On this very humorous horror comedy, a bunch of Black buddies collect for a Juneteenth celebration.
Out of the blue, they’re compelled to play a sport that questions their tradition and data of all issues Black. The Blackening is stuffed with kooky and entertaining characters. Nevertheless, essentially the most fascinating one is the killer on this film. The motives behind the crimes elevate many thought-provoking concepts, sure, even in such a comedic setting.
Warning: The Blackening spoilers are forward. Proceed with warning.
I Thought The Blackening’s Killer’s Motives Have been Fascinating
Allison (Grace Byers), King (Melvin Gregg), Shanika (X Mayo), Dewayne (Dewayne Perkins), Lisa (Antoinette Robertson), and Nnamdi (Sinqua Partitions) notice that Clifton (Jermaine Fowler) isn’t useless. He has been the one orchestrating the whole lot to actual revenge on the group for what they did to him years in the past.
As a result of they taunted him for dropping a sport of Spades, he bought drunk and dedicated vehicular murder. The group questioned Clifton’s blackness on account of this sport loss, and that made him really feel insecure, main him to spiral.
Within the Black group, the subject of blackness is usually a delicate one. Generally, when you don’t verify all the mandatory packing containers of what’s thought-about Black tradition or conduct, you possibly can lose your invisible Black card.
It’s one thing normally stated amongst Black individuals in jest, however it may be taken severely. For instance, Clifton had already felt like he wasn’t Black sufficient due to his pursuits and conduct. Then this humiliation added to his emotions of inadequacy, and it was all an excessive amount of.
Like many nice horror comedies, Clifton’s story comes off humorous but additionally harking back to distinctive horror motion pictures. The motives of many basic horror film villains stem from some type of bodily or emotional trauma inflicted on them by others. The Blackening exhibits how questioning somebody’s blackness could cause emotional hurt.
His Motives Additionally Begin An Vital Dialog About Blackness And The Dangerous Methods It Can Be Mentioned
Regardless of how ridiculous Clifton is as a personality, I believe you possibly can perceive why this hurts him. I’m assured in my blackness now, however as a toddler, I used to be teased about not being Black sufficient for every type of causes. It didn’t do a lot harm to me psychologically, however I did query if I had embraced my Black id sufficient at the moment due to it. I questioned if I wasn’t partaking in Black tradition sufficient.
With age comes extra self-assurance. I do know myself and I’m very comfy in my blackness, however somebody as younger as college-aged Clifton might not have reached that stage of confidence in his id then. Subsequently, one thing as small as dropping his Black card might have been a significant defining occasion for his improvement.
Now I doubt anybody appears in direction of The Blackening for a significant life lesson. Nonetheless, I imagine this is a crucial message. The spectrum of blackness doesn’t want defining.
Black is how somebody identifies themselves, not how others venture their definitions or prejudices on them.
Clifton’s story is considered one of The Blackening’s many entertaining jokes, nevertheless it additionally has an insightful message to not make somebody really feel lower than as a result of they don’t match right into a slender definition of what it means to be Black or act Black.
Clifton’s Motives Made Me Like The Different Blackening Characters Much less
The Blackening has an exquisite solid of proficient actors and comedians, they usually performed all their characters so effectively that I couldn’t assist however hate them. All The Blackening characters are enjoyable however not precisely likable. I believe that is by alternative. They’re in a life-or-death scenario, so naturally, a few of their extra ruthless and harmful traits take over. It’s survival of the fittest.
Nevertheless, these characters change into lots worse if you find out how they tease Clifton to the purpose of pushing him over the sting. The second Clifton enters The Blackening, he’s an unwelcome visitor. The opposite characters tolerate him however don’t like him. Their distaste for him grows.
He’s just like the Carlton Banks or Steve Urkel character, however a lot worse. He’s an annoyance that solely turns into extra problematic. The group decides to sacrifice him to avoid wasting everybody else. His blackness as soon as once more comes into query.
The Blackening channels a few of its witty satire by having Clifton sacrificed as a result of he’s the least Black, based on the opposite characters. Clifton should die as a result of he doesn’t assist his individuals however immediately does issues that harm them, or chooses ignorance over embracing his tradition. Clifton isn’t a likable character, however he doesn’t deserve the ridicule from the others. This says lots about how poisonous this group might get when in school. All of us hear by means of The Blackening a few of their previous dangerous conduct with each other, nevertheless it looks as if they’ve grown and matured since school.
However, I Nonetheless Didn’t Help Clifton As a result of Of His General Persona
Now I can sympathize with Clifton however I hate the character. He’s very annoying. Moreover, lots of his decisions show that he’s despicable and deserves to die. He could also be a villain that you just can perceive his motives however not assist them. Somebody teasing one other particular person about their blackness doesn’t warrant a homicide spree.
Moreover, nobody forces him to drink and drive. All Clifton’s actions are his personal. He deserves little or no sympathy, so I cheer when he dies. Not solely as a result of he deserves to die for all his horrible decisions all through the movie, however for making an attempt to kill everybody and simply being an irritating character in The Blackening. His loss of life could also be one of the satisfying film deaths.
I Suppose Clifton’s Story Is A Prime Instance Of Why The Blackening Has Sharp Social And Pop Tradition Commentary
I’m glad I watched The Blackening and now perceive why it is one of many finest comedies of 2023. It’s a extremely enjoyable horror comedy that pays homage to the style however remains to be distinctive and refreshing. What I loved essentially the most is its sharp social commentary. The defining of blackness is among the movie’s most outstanding subjects, nevertheless it touches on so many others, like homophobia within the Black group, racism, colorism, and so many different issues {that a} Black viewers particularly will recognize and perceive.
Then as a popular culture junkie, I cherished the clear tributes to issues like Black sitcoms, horror motion pictures, references to Black Twitter, and so forth and so forth. The Blackening actually feels prefer it’s made by and for Black individuals in the easiest way. I’d gladly watch a sequel or two.
Stream The Blackening on Peacock.