“The Blackening” is a new comedy horror film that centers on a group of college friends reuniting for a Juneteenth weekend reunion. A homicidal maniac begins to stalk them, choosing his victims by forcing them to play a game to determine who is the “Blackest” amongst the group.
The film stars Grace Byers, Jermaine Fowler, Melvin Gregg, X Mayo, Dewayne Perkins, Antoinette Robertson, and Sinqua Walls, with Jay Pharoah and Yvonne Orji. Directed by Tim Story (Ride Along, Think Like A Man, Barbershop) and screenplay and screen story by Tracy Oliver (Girls Trip, Harlem) and Dewayne Perkins (The Amber Ruffin Show, Brooklyn Nine-Nine).
EUR talked with Oliver and Story about collaborating with Perkins to expand the story for a full-length film. The original short film by the 3Peat comedy troupe was introduced in 2018.
Oliver who is also an executive producer with Story on the film, shared what she thought Dewayne did so well in the original short was having them debate their blackness.
“I just thought using that as the basis for whether they die was fascinating,” she said. “I thought this was a strange, interesting, and quirky way into horror. Outside of that, we had to determine what the movie was and who the characters were. Especially why they’re in this cabin, who the villain could be, and why, was important, because we wanted whomever it was to be surprising.”
Oliver explained the reason behind it needed to fit into the movie thematically.
“I just had a lot of fun putting up ideas and going back and forth figuring out what to do with it. There is a lot of stuff that is “So Black,” I didn’t think it would ever make it to the screen.”
Oliver said she thought they would tell her to take some of the stuff out at some point, but she said all of the Black culture call-outs – spades, the trivia, the space where all of these really Black elements that we loved about it, were protected. And a large part of that was Story as the director.
“The Blackening” hits theaters Friday, June 16.
Jill Munroe is a Los Angeles-bred entertainment journalist, producer, and host. You can follow her on all social media @StilettoJill or check out JillMunroe.com.
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