Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror

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Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror

2019

1h 23m

Documentary

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100%

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38 Reviews

70%

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50+ Ratings

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

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

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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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Xero Gravity

Blerdy Massacre Podcast

It's because of [Horror Noire] that I have the tools as a critic to better digest genre cinema and the way that it deals with diversity and inclusion from the very beginning.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 3, 2025

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Sharai Bohannon

Blerdy Massacre Podcast

'Horror Noire' should be required viewing. The doc is the first time we heard these movies discussed outside of overwhelmingly white criticism/gaze. It's validating as a Black horror fan, and it shifted the way many of us look at Blaxploitation cinema.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 1, 2025

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Drew Dietsch

Giant Freakin Robot

Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror is still a necessary project that adds so much to our understanding of film’s place in American culture.

Rated: 4.5/5

Jun 30, 2025

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sharon k

My all time favorite thing to watch is horror genre documentaries. While I can't say this is my favorite one- I can say that I learned a lot! If you think you already know it all, and you are not a POC(I am white), then I assure you that you will learn something new! Fantastic cast- including my one of my favorite actors of all time Tony Todd-RIP beautiful man!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/20/25

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Kev D

Smart and insightful, Horror Noir is an absolute love letter to black excellence in film. Should be considered required viewing for any film fan, horror or otherwise.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/19/25

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Emma C

Incredibly compelling and interesting history of horror cinema through Black filmmakers, actors, and audiences. Highly recommend!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/19/25

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Brooklyn A

Gave me so many gems to put on my watchlist. Also, I'm a total nerd for horror history.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/19/25

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

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A A

Divisive narrative was on display.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/04/22

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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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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: Ashlee Blackwell, Danielle Burrows
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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