User reviews

Probably my biggest criticism of "Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror" is one I don't like in other movies: the length.

This fantastic documentary needed to be longer!!

Still, at only 83 minutes, it's incredibly paced, well shot and includes so many WONDERFUL movies and performances that the mainstream audience may never have heard of or seen without a mention here. To that/them I say: BRAVO. One in particular was Jada Pinkett Smith.

Just to give an example, way back in the day, I first saw her in Demon Knight on the big screen and LOOOVED her. Thought that very little known actress would go far after this horror movie. And she did. And they mentioned this movie/role in a nice little segment. If the rest of the doc didn't impress me (and it did,) this definitely was high on my list.

I've seen at least one, maybe a couple or more documentaries on Queer representation in cinema. It's nice to hear from another, very predominate group in horror films and their evolution. While I did see it with my own eyes, it's really nice to hear many different and important points of views. From incredibly well spoken experts in this field to actors/directors that I definitely admire.

Again, I just wish there was more. Here's hoping to probably the first ever documentary sequel for more content!*

***

Final thoughts: *I did NOT research that. So maybe there's already a documentary sequel. But, I'd still love to see one to this and learn even more and hear more intimate stories!

They say any good book, movie, play, TV show, etc. should leave you wanting more, but Horror Noire left me wanting so much more that I wish it was twice as long as it was. It does a great job of showcasing the seldom appreciated black horror films and performances, but at less than 90 minutes, it could have used an extra half hour at least.

This is all due to the care that was obviously put into this documentary. The reason I wanted more is because it's so good and so informative and well put together. I highly recommend horror historians and fans of black film check this one out.

Now this was a documentary I heard about and was pretty excited to check out. Before I got a chance to actually watch it, I heard two podcasts that covered it and all it did was make it go to the top of my list of films to see for this year. The official synopsis is a look at the history of black horror films and the role of African Americans in the film genre from the very beginning.

This will actually be a short review since it is really something that you need to see. I just wanted to touch on a few things that really struck me about the documentary. The first thing was I really enjoyed the history that they go through. Now I was a film major in college, so I took many classes that filled me in on the history of cinema. I experienced films that they kind of touch on like Birth of a Nation and how characters in early cinema were portrayed by white actors in black-face or when they actually casted African Americans, they were done in unintelligent and unimportant roles. If you ask anyone about me, I'm extremely open-minded and in my days of class, it really struck me as something that was sad.

The next thing is this documentary actually gives me a different look at certain films from the past. There are things I never considered as a white male about the Creature from the Black Lagoon and other early horror films. I don't necessarily know if I fully buy into these early films are saying, but I can definitely see where they are coming from and the next time I watch them, I have a new perspective to consider. As someone of who is out to historically watch as many horror films in my lifetime, I can always appreciate that. I will say that I have watched the original King Kong and the remake from the 1970's, I can definitely see what they're talking about with him being an representation of black people. The Creature also does look similar to the racist cartoons from the past as well.

There were quite a few films that were featured that I've seen and quite a few of them are actually ones that I really like. Kind of going back to my last point, I really like to hear the perspective for quite a few of these from a way that is different from my own. I point this out especially for Night of the Living Dead, Tales from the Hood and Get Out. From the last one, I did notice some of the things, but there were also other aspect I didn't think of or know the context.

I also really liked the group of people they got to interview and listen to them talk about these films. Ken Foree is the hero in my favorite horror film of all-time, Dawn of the Dead. Seeing him talk with Keith David, who is another actor I respect, was wonderful. I really would pay to see them have a show where they just talk for hours. It was interesting to see Rusty Cundieff, as I grew up on Tales from the Hood, even though as a kid I didn't fully understand everything I was seeing. William Crain, Kelly Jo Minter, Miguel A. Núñez Jr., Jordan Peele, Tony Todd and Rachel True are all great with the interesting perspectives from their different experiences as well.

If I really have anything negative to say it would be the same thing that I've heard others also express. I want them to go deeper into this subject. I would love if there was an extended cut to give me all of the footage and to really delve deeper into this subject. I love documentaries, especially ones that are a deep dive into my favorite genre. I will say that I love how this is edited together as it seems all of these interviewees were asked the same questions about the same films so they could edit it together to give a wide range of opinions during each segment of history or for certain films that fall into it. Using clips to back up what they say also really helps as well.

Now with that said, if you are a fan of the horror genre I found this to be an interesting documentary to check out. I think it actually is interesting if you are black or not, because you can take away different things from it. Since personally I'm not, but having some knowledge of the culture, it definitely was good for me to get to know more about it and their perspectives on films. I thought there was a great group of people to interview and if there is anything negative I have to say, I wish they would have went deeper. This isn't a documentary for those that are new to the genre, as it expects you to know the basics of most of the films they show. It really goes into the deeper meanings and symbolism, which is good as I've been watching the genre for as long as I can remember. It has a good running time and personally, it could go longer and I'd still like it.

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Playing YouTube channel Double Toasted review of Soul Plane in background, they mentioned about the video being sponsored by Shudder,and gave a free 30 day code. Being in lockdown and having wanted to sign up to the service for ages, this looked like the perfect time to sign up. Being a title I saw get praised by RedLetterMedia, I decided my first Shudder viewing would go back to the history of Horror.

View on the film:

Going right back to the horrors of The Birth of a Nation (1915) in his feature film debut, director Xavier Burgin lays out a fascinating canvas on the progression of black Horror cinema history, from Spencer Williams kicking against the system to get the first "Black Horror" made in Son of Ingagi (1940) and the ground breaking work of George Romero, to the wave of Blaxploitation and black Horror cinema of the 2012.

Criss-crossing the clips with interviews of the cast/crew from some of the films and academics, Burgin combines production tales with fascinating academic interpretations of highlighted films. From the Tuskegee syphilis experiment being referenced in Blxploitation films and Bill Gunn using the Horror genre for the deeply personal Ganja & Hess (1973), to Candyman (1992) and the magnificent The Girl with All the Gifts (2016-also reviewed), in bringing to light the history of black Horror.

Great commentary and interviews by respected actors, filmmakers, writers and intellectuals on the history of Blacks in cinema and the horror genre. Fun to watch too.

An interesting, insightful & informative documentary about the African-American experience & representation in American horror films, in addition to the evolution of the genre itself over the years, Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror presents an extensively researched, expertly dissected & effortlessly entertaining account of the contribution that black artists have made to the world of horror & Hollywood cinema as a whole.

Directed by Xavier Burgin, the documentary includes interviews from several black artists & scholars and begins by first acknowledging the watershed event that Jordan Peele's Get Out was only a few years back, for it broke down all barriers & smashed doors wide open for new n fresh voices to enter the industry, before harkening back to the early days when Hollywood often painted a disturbing picture of the whole race to advance the nation's propaganda.

The film chronicles their awful depiction in The Birth of a Nation, their relegation to background roles in the decades ahead, the implied racism in films they were not even a part of, a revival of sorts through the blaxploitation genre, caricature roles in subsequent years, increased acceptance in the 21st century, and the influential roles that horror films such as Night of the Living Dead, Blacula, Candyman, Tales from the Hood & more played in righting the wrongs one step at a time.

Overall, Horror Noire is captivating & illuminating in equal measure and offers an essential overview of the demographic whose contribution to mainstream horror remains vastly unacknowledged. While there is an air of change in the Hollywood industry of lately, it is only made possible by the countless black voices that kept going despite endless setbacks over the years until the breakthrough at last happened. And with new talents & fresh voices entering the American horror scene, the future at least for now sure looks promising. A must for horror aficionados.

This is a well produced documentary telling the story of African American actors in horror movies over the last 100 years. Great guests/pairings. Left out a few movies like 28 Days/Weeks Later, among a few others(especially the 80's). Great conversations and enlightening, especially for the horror fan.

I enjoyed the overview of black people in horror films, and being introduced to a couple of films that I missed when they were released. From scary black voodoo practitioners through "black guy who dies first" to (of course) Night of the Living Dead and on up to Get Out, a group of academics, directors, and actors talk about what the changes meant and how they reacted to it.

Why I don't rate it higher is that while the academics and screenwriters and directors had interesting things to say, the actors did not and said basically, only "man, I loved this." Not insightful. I suppose being able to have name actors in the cast means more people might watch the film, but if we're watching a film analysis documentary, maybe we care less about actors and more about the people who have insights they can better articulate.

Good info, half-wrong cast.

I loved every minute of this! I even added a few of these movies to my watch list most I have seen throughout the years including the ones from the 70s. My only complaint is it WAS NOT LONG ENOUGH!

Horror movies have been fascinating, actually horror stories in general have been. But roles for certain groups of people (in this case people of color) have been small to not even existent. Now of course you can make the case for native Americans or Asian Americans, but that can be a different movie (one I'd watch for sure). So this concentrates on Black people in horror movies - in front and behind the camera. Except for a short mention of 90s movies in general (like Boyz'N'the hood) this really does not stray aways from the genre it says in the title it will be about.

And while I wouldn't have minded having a nod to something like "In the Heat of the Night", it overall is better to not stray away from the path it set out. This is based on a book, but has so many different people talking about the History of Black Horror movies. If you are a fan of the Genre many, if not all will mean something to you. And watching this almost makes me want to revisit Blackula - I kinda liked it anyway, but with the background you get with this documentary and what the director tells us he had to go through .... it puts a whole new level on the whole thing and viewing experience.

As a big Romero fan, just the mention of Night of the living Dead (or any of the others, Ken Foree is one of the people being interviewed) makes me happy. But it is obvious what an impact the movie had and how it was perceived. It is even better to know that the role wasn't written specifically for a Black actor. As Romero has famously said, Duane Jones was just the best actor to audition. When I watched it, I was thinking "wow having the guts to cast someone in the lead role back then ... awesome". And if you had the opportunity to meet Romero you could see him for what he is. Like your good natured Grandpa who was open to everyone. That doesn't change how Night ended - and while I will not spoil that, I'll say it left me quite drained. And if I was or felt that way, hearing how people from that era saw it and how they related, gives it another layer alltogether.

I just scratched the surface, the movie mentions good movies and bad movies (and things in between, I really want to watch a movie called Abby now - it sounds horrible ... in a fun and good way) - and I hope if it comes out on Disc there will be at least another hour of additional material/interviews! Ending with some "outtakes" during the end credits rounds up a great overall impression I got from this. Highly recommendable ...

This is an important story, that needs to be told, but this is not the way to tell it.

There are so many inaccurate statements in this movie that I almost turned it off. They are clearly trying to present a unified narrative and it just comes off as false, fake and dishonest. The history of black horror is politicized enough as it is. There is no need to add racist ideas to movies that didn't have them, because there are plenty of movies that did (and do) have those issues.

This documentary would have benefited from some basic fact checking and 10 minutes of google.

So glad this was made. This documentary is very much needed the modern day we live in. This documentary was an eye-opening analysis of how black and POC people, especially men, have been portrayed in movies. Not just movies but in real life aswell, and exposed those who incorrectly portrayed them.

We also need more docs about individual black horror films. The genesis of ideas, casting, how they were made!. We still have a lot to go for with the movies, but it's getting better for example with Jordan Peele's Get Out. I can't wait what's to come in the furure with POC movie directors and writers.

"Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror," a 2019 documentary directed by Xavier Burgin, is a cinematic revelation that Shudder, unfortunately, has not promoted globally as it deserves. The film delves into the intersection of Black history and horror cinema in the United States, revealing a complex and often overlooked narrative.

The documentary's strength lies in its ability to illuminate the historical injustices faced by the Black community in America. Each revelation is a stark reminder of the cruelty and bigotry that have permeated American society. It's astonishing how a nation with such a history of racial oppression has become a superpower, especially considering that the Black community still grapples with many of the issues depicted in the documentary.

Film, as the documentary argues, is a powerful medium for historical documentation, and horror cinema, in particular, serves as a unique lens through which societal anxieties and fears are reflected. "Horror Noire" masterfully connects these dots, showcasing how Black filmmakers and actors have used horror to address and subvert racial stereotypes, explore social issues, and reclaim their narratives.

The documentary features interviews with esteemed figures in the film industry, including actors, directors, and scholars, all of whom offer insightful perspectives on the significance of Black horror. The choice of Grauman's Egyptian Theatre, a historic landmark and a dream venue for many cinephiles, for the film's premiere adds another layer of significance to this project.

While "Horror Noire" has spawned an anthology series, it's disheartening that AMC has not made a concerted effort to share this important work with a global audience. This documentary is a must-watch for film enthusiasts, students of cinema, and anyone interested in understanding the power of representation in art.

In conclusion, "Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror" is a cinematic triumph that celebrates the resilience and creativity of Black filmmakers and actors within the horror genre. It is a testament to the enduring power of cinema to confront social issues and inspire change. Long live "Night of the Living Dead," long live George A. Romero, and may Duane Jones rest in peace.

There is no shortage of behind the scenes documentaries, and that is especially true of horror films past. It can get to the point where they start to blend together, full of interesting information but barely distinguishable from one another.

That's just one part of what makes Horror Noire such a pleasant change of pace. A strong focus, fantastic interviewees, and a desperately important conversation that audiences have needed to hear about for years, this movie feels more vital than anything else in its category.

This film shows with clarity how the experience of black life is perfectly represented by horror, and how the genre perfectly tracks that distinctly American experience and journey.

Do yourself a favor and watch this. It will change how you watch and relate to horror movies, and it will give you a better understanding of the power of movies to create and spread empathy.

I wouldn't call this a "documentary", a sort of a lengthy and preachy video that's usually found in woke YouTube channels. So much hatred and negativity all composed in 83 minutes.

Look I'm a big fan of horror, especially when it has to do with the history for horror. And I also enjoy documentaries that dive into the behind of making such a film, and how it came to be whatnot. And "Horror Noire" does that properly, describing the history moments what the predominant black people went through. Although, there's few of these interviewees that sounded so sour, like a someone yapping, complaining. I mean I guess some film directors didn't want black people to come out in films or I guess these "monsters" were interpreted as blacks. Why not just think of those creatures, just creatures. All these subtext and metaphors that they're trying to dive in too deeply. How come when it comes to black movies, why's it all the time it revolves around racism, slavery, gang, absent of parent?? Just like what Jordan Peele said about not being stuck in a bubble anymore, okay, then use that analogy of talking about something else besides slavery, racism. There's other things that are as important to dive in like sexual abuse, child trafficking, sicknesses etc.