Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror
Documentary on black horror film history.
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror is a 2019 American documentary film directed by Xavier Burgin. It is based on the 2011 non-fiction book Horror Noire: Blacks in American Horror Films from the 1890s to Present by Robin R. Means Coleman. The film examines the evolution of the genre of black horror, featuring interviews with Coleman and figures such as actors Keith David, Tony Todd, and Rachel True, director Jordan Peele, and author Tananarive Due. Produced by Stage 3 Productions for Shudder, it premiered at Grauman's Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, California, before being made available for streaming on Shudder.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Xavier Burgin
- Producer
- Ashlee Blackwell / Danielle Burrows
- Based On
- Horror Noire: Blacks in American Horror Films from the 1890s to Present · Robin R. Means Coleman
- Starring
- Keith David / Jordan Peele / Rachel True / Tony Todd / Tananarive Due / Robin R. Means Coleman / Ashlee Blackwell
- Cinematography
- Mario Rodriguez
- Studio
- Stage 3 Productions
- Distributor
- Shudder
- Runtime
- 83 minutes
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The documentary features interviews with a number of African-Americans with experience or expertise in horror films, including Meosha Bean, Ashlee Blackwell, Robin R. Means Coleman, William Crain, Rusty Cundieff, Keith David, Loretta Devine, Ernest Dickerson, Tananarive Due, Ken Foree, Mark H. Harris, Richard Lawson, Tina Mabry, Kelly Jo Minter, Miguel A. Núñez Jr., Paula Jai Parker, Jordan Peele, Ken Sagoes, Monica Suriyage, Tony Todd, and Rachel True. It discusses the 1915 film The Birth of a Nation for its emboldening of racist depictions of black characters in later films, and notes the minimal representation of black people in horror films from the 1930s to 1950s, often relegated to roles as servants or background characters. The 1968 film Night of the Living Dead is highlighted for its portrayal of a heroic black character amid the civil rights movement.
Reader's Guide
Horror Noire examines the blaxploitation genre of the 1970s, including films such as Blacula, Abby, Sugar Hill, and Ganja & Hess. It explores tokenism and tropes in 1980s and 1990s horror, such as black characters as sidekicks, the 'first to die' trope (noting that a large percentage do not die first), and the Magical Negro concept. Films like Candyman, Tales from the Hood, Eve's Bayou, and Demon Knight are discussed. The documentary covers increased positive representation in 21st-century horror, including Attack the Block, The Girl with All the Gifts, and Get Out, with attention to its black protagonist, white antagonists, themes, and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. It concludes with subjects holding that African-American-centered films have proved marketable and profitable, with hope for continued positive representation. The film received critical acclaim, with a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 32 reviews.
Did You Know?
- The documentary is based on Robin R. Means Coleman's 2011 book Horror Noire: Blacks in American Horror Films from the 1890s to Present.
- A six-episode podcast titled Horror Noire: Uncut, featuring extended interviews, premiered on Shudder on February 7, 2020.
- AMC greenlit an anthology sequel spin-off TV series based on the film, which premiered on Shudder on October 28, 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror?
It is a 2019 American documentary directed by Xavier Burgin that chronicles the evolution of Black horror cinema from the 1890s to the present. The film was produced by Stage 3 Productions for the streaming platform Shudder.
What book is the documentary based on?
The film adapts Robin R. Means Coleman's 2011 non-fiction book, which surveys Black representation in American horror films spanning from the 1890s onward. Coleman also appears in the documentary as the scholar behind the project.
Who are some notable figures interviewed in the film?
The documentary features conversations with horror veterans Keith David, Tony Todd, and Rachel True, as well as director Jordan Peele and author Tananarive Due. These interviews provide personal perspectives on the genre's history and its cultural impact.
Where and when did Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror premiere?
The documentary had its world premiere on February 1, 2019, at Grauman's Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, California. After that theatrical showing, it became available to stream on Shudder.
Why is Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror significant to horror fans?
It centers a long-overlooked tradition of Black filmmakers, actors, and writers who have shaped the horror genre for over a century. By giving visibility to that lineage, the documentary fills a major gap in how mainstream film history has narrated the evolution of horror.
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