Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror

2019

1h 23m

Documentary

List

100%

32 Reviews

Tomatometer

68%

50+ Ratings

Audience Score

A look at the history of black horror films and the role of African Americans in the film genre since the beginning.

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Critics Consensus

Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror more than lives up to its title, offering a smart and entertaining overview of American film history through an overlooked lens.

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Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

ABC Radio (Australia)

A powerful reminder how something as seemingly lowbrow and disposable as horror cinema can be a surprisingly successful vehicle to address broader social issues that have very real relevance.

Rated: 5/5

Oct 21, 2020

Full Review

Adam Graham

Detroit News

People go to horror films to scream and squirm and have a good time. "Horror Noire" shows that to many, horror films are more than just blood and guts. It's a matter of life and death.

Rated: B

Mar 15, 2019

Full Review

Kristen Lopez

Citizen Dame

Horror Noire is essential viewing for any cinema fan. A documentary that isn't afraid to have the subjects praise, and just as often damn, the features that have inspired countless people to pursue horror.

Feb 7, 2019

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Alix Turner

Ready Steady Cut

A captivating and eye-opening study of the black experience of horror films (from within the industry and as viewers), which charts the progress over the last century.

Rated: 4.5/5

Feb 3, 2021

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

It all adds up to a most entertaining and enlightening history of Black culture and racism, along with a history of the movies. This is essential viewing.

Rated: 4/4

Jul 25, 2020

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Stephanie Crawford

Daily Grindhouse

Horror Noire is pure fun for horror fans both experienced and new, but I have no doubt that it's also going to become a go-to informational gateway.

Jul 15, 2020

Full Review

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james g

Mixed feelings. I enjoyed it on many levels: great clips, fascinating comments, and the hour and a half run time felt like 30 minutes or so. On the other hand, one could probably make a documentary on, say, people who have purple scissors in their home office (like me). Many of the films mentioned I've seen and a number are now on my "gotta see" list. But why did they not mention the great "MA" with Olivia Spencer? And why was a section with Jordan Peele the only part where there was only one person instead of the far more interesting '2-people-chatting-in-a-theatre'? And his wrinkled old gray t-shirt. It was probably a tacked-on ending that Peele didn't much want to be bothered with. (I do love his movies and his Twilight Zone revisit.)

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

samuel s

It wasn't great. I was expecting something different and a little more imaginative and thoughtful with the horror but man there was just some vile horror in this. Mostly blood and guts. Just not pleasant stuff. Very carnal. I was also expecting more Jordan Peele. He was good in it. It was cool seeing and hearing Keith David in there, rocking his Gargoyles hat which gave me joy. It wasn't as educational as I thought it was going to be. There was some good info but I felt like some of the people were reaching for metaphors that weren't there like with the King Kong metaphor, but who knows. There was just a lot of carnal hatred from both sides of the racial spectrum in the film, but there is also some light. It is good to see that people can feel strengthened by seeing someone that looks like them. And of course seeing past race and connecting with someone who may not look like them as was addressed in the film with Get Out. Not a great doc, but I feel there's probably a better documentary out there perhaps on the more general film genre on this issue.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

A A

Divisive narrative was on display.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/04/22

Full Review

dave d

Horror Noire is a feature documentary which breaks down the connection between African-American history and the evolution of the horror film genre. If you're a fan of horror films then this would be a one you don't want to miss. More of an educational experience than entertaining, the film drags at several points if you're not a fan of horror. It's necessary viewing for the cinephiles! Final Score: 6.8/10

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Brad P

Shudder's ‘Horror Noire' is Essential Viewing for Horror Fans

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/02/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A excellent! Documentary on the history of black films Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror gives a rather different look on way we see black people in horror films.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

Full Review

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Xavier Burgin

Director

Jordan Peele

Actor

Tony Todd

Actor

Ken Foree

Actor

Ashlee Blackwell

Writer

Danielle Burrows

Writer

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Is That Black Enough for You?!?

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Synopsis

A look at the history of black horror films and the role of African Americans in the film genre since the beginning.

Director: Xavier Burgin
Producer: Tananarive Due, Phil Nobile Jr., Kelly Ryan, Robin R. Means Coleman
Screenwriter: Ashlee Blackwell, Danielle Burrows
Production Co: Stage 3 Productions
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 27, 2019
Runtime: 1h 23m

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