The Blackening – Budget of $5 million – 1 hour and 36 minutes
| Blu-rayTM | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Digital | |||
 |
 |
 |
 |
Morgan and Shawn rented a cabin in the woods for a Juneteenth celebration. They plan to get wild, laugh, and play games. Shawn finds a game room as Morgan decorates for the festivities. He gets Morgan to follow him to the room, and they find a game called The Blackening. They open the game to find a game piece that resembles Morgan’s earring. It tells them to name one black character in a horror movie that lived. If they can’t in 60 seconds, one of them will die. They say the wrong answer, and Shawn gets shot with an arrow. Morgan runs, but the killer grabs her.
Dewayne, Allison, and Lisa travel to the cabin, but Allison and Lisa have a secret. It doesn’t take long for Dewayne to realize the two women are exchanging looks. Dewayne doesn’t care about their secret as long as Lisa’s ex-boyfriend, Nnamdi, doesn’t come. He was Lisa’s friend through her breakups over Nnamdi’s cheating. King and Nnamdi greet them when they arrive, much to Dewayne’s chagrin. They notice that King is talking to Officer White because White thinks King and Nnamdi are trespassing. Lisa pulls out her paperwork and ID to prove they have permission to be at the location.
Shanika pulls over for gas and gets Rap Snacks from the market (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). She bumps into Clifton but chooses not to remember his name. He explains that his phone died on the way to the cabin, and he doesn’t have his charger. Shanika begrudgingly invites Clifton to follow her. They arrive late and find the group settling into a game of spades. The lights cut off, and the seven friends look for a fuse box. They see a green door with a Game Room sign, but Allison states it wasn’t there before. They walk into the room because they want to play games. They find The Blackening. Believing it’s a joke, they start to play. The game tells them to answer all the questions correctly, or Morgan dies. A TV turns on to show Morgan begging for her life. They must play, but will they all survive?
This movie is funny from beginning to end, but don’t forget the profound questions it asks. First, what does it mean to be black? And next, is there a way to be black enough? When the game asks, the group looks for skin color. Nnamdi is the darkest, so they point to him. Then, they select Shanika for saying the n-word the most. When they pick Grace, she reminds them that they tease her for being half-white. They point to King next because he has a gun. This film is the fly on the wall. However, it plays up the laughs to ease a complex conversation. While it provides a few jump scares, this movie won’t give you nightmares. And there is one mid-credit scene. This movie is for you if you enjoy M3GAN and Scary Movie (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer).
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
You strong, with a C – Shawn
So predictable – Morgan
He sounds like my dad – Allison
Ain’t your dad white – Lisa
You really in the sunken place – Nnamdi
I’m a changed man – King
Cheers to having high standards and self-respect – Dewayne
Say something gay – Shanika
All lives matter – Clifton
| Blu-rayTM | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
| Digital | |||
|
|
|
|
thatdarngirlmovie.reviews 