Watch Horror Noire: Uncut Podcast

Horror Noire: Uncut is a podcast series produced by Shudder that delves into the intersection between race and horror cinema. Hosted by Ashlee Blackwell, the series is a continuation of the discussion around the 2019 documentary, Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror, based on Robin R. Means Coleman's book, "Horror Noire: Blacks in American Horror Films from the 1890s to Present".

Horror Noire: Uncut takes a closer look at the nuanced topics surrounding horror and race, giving a platform to voices often marginalized in popular culture. Through roundtable discussions, interviews with industry professionals, and deep dives into popular movies, the podcast dissects the use of race in horror films, from colonialism and African American folklore to social commentary and beyond.

The podcast also explores the history of black representation in horror films, deconstructing harmful tropes and stereotypes, celebrating the subversion of genre norms and highlighting groundbreaking performances. Through the interviews with the creatives and film scholars behind the genre's most influential works, Horror Noire: Uncut offers listeners a rich and complex understanding of the black experience in American horror.

In the first season of the show, Ashlee Blackwell and her guests explore films like Get Out, Candyman, and The Invisible Man, discussing what makes these movies so essential to the horror canon and how they turned the genre on its head.

The episode about Get Out focuses on the ways that the movie explores the experience of the black man in America, with Blackwell and her guests noting how it deftly skewers the ingrained racism of white liberals. They also discuss the film's representations of the Sunken Place, a metaphor for American slavery, and how it subverts horror tropes to create a wholly unique viewing experience.

The podcast's examination of Candyman offers a deep dive into the movie's themes and legacy. Blackwell and her guests analyze Candyman as an exploration of African-American folklore, discussing the social commentary it offers with its story of a black man lynched for falling in love with a white woman. They also celebrate the character's iconic status, noting how actor Tony Todd's performance has become a touchstone for horror fans of all races.

The Invisible Man episode explores the distinct social commentary underpinning the main character's abuse and gaslighting of Cecelia. The episode unpacks the way horror films deal with the topic of abusive relationships, as well as the effects of stalking and how the invisibility element makes it harder for some victims to gain justice.

Horror Noire: Uncut also features interviews with industry heavyweights like Jordan Peele (Get Out, Us) and Rusty Cundieff (Tales from the Hood), as well as lesser-known but still influential figures like Loretta Devine (Urban Legend) and Ernest Dickerson (Bones). Through these interviews, listeners come to have a greater appreciation of the art of horror filmmaking, as well as the socio-political context from which these movies emerge.

Overall, Horror Noire: Uncut is an insightful, thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between race and horror cinema. Its discussions are timely, nuanced, and necessary in a society increasingly aware of the challenges facing racial equality. Through its guests and the movies it considers, the podcast offers a compelling look at the enduring power of film to challenge, provoke, and inspire.