The Blackening

The Blackening is a 2022 American black comedy slasher film directed by Tim Story and written by Tracy Oliver and Dewayne Perkins, based on the 2018 short film of the same name by the comedy troupe 3Peat. It stars Perkins, Grace Byers, Jermaine Fowler, Melvin Gregg, X Mayo, Antoinette Robertson, Sinqua Walls, Jay Pharoah, and Yvonne Orji. The film, set on Juneteenth, follows a group of Black friends targeted by a masked killer while staying at a cabin in the woods. The Blackening premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 16, 2022, and was theatrically released on June 16, 2023, by Lionsgate in United States and on August 23, 2023 by Universal Pictures in United Kingdom. The film grossed $17 million and received generally positive reviews, with critics noting the satire of horror film tropes and ethnic stereotypes. Plot Morgan and Shawn arrive to a cabin in the woods where they plan on celebrating Juneteenth with their group of friends. In the basement, the couple discovers a board game called "The Blackening", which features racist caricatures. Suddenly, the lights go out and a mysterious voice demands the couple to play. Shawn answers a question incorrectly and is promptly killed with an arrow to the neck. Morgan attempts to escape but is captured.