Watch Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror

Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror is a documentary film that delves into the history of Black horror films, exploring the racial themes and socio-political commentary inherent in the genre. Directed by Xavier Burgin, the film features interviews with some of the biggest names in horror filmmaking, and examines the impact of notable films and filmmakers on the Black community.

The documentary begins by examining the reasons why horror films are important to the Black community, and how they can be used to explore issues of race and social justice. It explores the roles that Black characters have played in horror films throughout history and examines how representation has evolved over the years. The film then delves into the early history of Black horror, highlighting films like Son of Ingagi and The Blood of Jesus, and the ways in which these films incorporated themes of race and racism.

Another significant section of the documentary looks at the Black horror films of the 70s and 80s, often referred to as 'Blaxploitation horror'. Interviews with filmmakers such as Rusty Cundieff and Ernest R. Dickerson reveal the challenges they faced in getting their films made, and the ways in which they were able to subvert the expectations of the genre. These films often dealt explicitly with issues of race and racism, and Horror Noire explores how they laid the groundwork for the more socially conscious horror films of today.

The documentary then moves into an exploration of the 90s and 2000s, highlighting the ways in which Black characters were often relegated to supporting roles in horror films. However, it also highlights the exceptions to this rule, such as the seminal film Candyman, directed by Bernard Rose, which featured a Black protagonist and explored issues of race and class in a unique and unsettling way. The documentary also discusses the increasing presence of Black women in horror films, particularly as the final girl trope is subverted to become a source of empowerment.

Throughout the film, Horror Noire is careful to emphasize the ways in which Black horror films have never existed in a vacuum, but have always been influenced by and responded to the larger historical and cultural contexts of their time. The film explores how films like Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead both drew from and commented on the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War, and examines how more recent films like Get Out and Us are in dialogue with the Black Lives Matter movement.

Horror Noire is a fascinating and deeply informative exploration of the often-overlooked history of Black horror films. It is a testament to the power of the horror genre to not only frighten and entertain but to explore important social and cultural issues in a way that is both compelling and thought-provoking. Ultimately, it is a celebration of the ways in which Black filmmakers and audiences have used horror as a means of creating space for themselves in a genre that has often been hostile to their presence.

Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.