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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Watchlist

100%

43 Reviews

Tomatometer

67%

50+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

43 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

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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Bilge Ebiri

New York Magazine/Vulture

Sep 29, 2026

It’s a lively, occasionally powerful history lesson and an essential reclamation project.

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Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

ABC Radio (Australia)

Oct 21, 2020

5/5

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.

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Adam Graham

Detroit News

Mar 15, 2019

B

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.

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Andy Crump

Paste Magazine

Sep 29, 2026

6.1/10

Each of Horror Noire’s chapters brims with energy, imagination and a touch that’s personal to each of their authors; taken as a whole, the picture demonstrates that countless movies are out there waiting to be made by filmmakers hungry for a chance.

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Stephanie Cole

Nightmare on Film Street

Sep 29, 2026

When all is said and done, Horror Noire will leave any film history nerd and horror fan with a deeper understanding of black horror cinema. In this sense, it’s a success in the vein of many film documentaries before.

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Jazzmin Crawley

Horror Movie Blog

Apr 4, 2026

poignant, yet humorous at times. It is necessary homework for any horror fan.

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Abraham P

Feb 25, 2019

Absoluteley horrible

Han G

Feb 8, 2019

The time, thought, and quality put into this really shows. I'm what you consider a millenial and Ive always appreciated/loved and took high interest in the horror genre since a kid (you can even let my mom/dad tell you lol). In my era I grew up watching slasher and paranormal horror and when it came to black horror I never really knew alot besides Tales in the hood, Bonez, People Under the Stairs and I was in awe seeing those because at the time I never seen a lot of black horror (besides us playing sidekicks and supporting characters) and as time moved along when Get Out came out it was truly a game changer!!! This documentary pieced so many things together perfectly, relating actual horrific things in the news to how it showed in these films, showing the shifts and evolution of the types of roles we played and so much more! Learning about our history in black horror is so amazing, inspiring, and gives me motivation to finish things Im working on. This is definitely a documentary Ill continue watching and share with my children...IM SO PROUD AND PLEASED!!!!

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Poe S

Feb 7, 2019

This documentary and the work of the team behind it and the folks featured is a vital aspect of the conversation we need to be having as a community of horror fans and scholars. The history of Black folks in film generally and horror specifically is key to the history of our culture. This documentary is incredibly well made with amazing and thought-provoking dialogue and commentary. It is entertaining, and more importantly, it has me asking questions about the future of the genre.

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Albus R

Feb 2, 2019

Horror Noire is powerful, laugh out loud funny, emotional and deeply insightful. Horror Noire delivers history with a visceral pulse, it confronts and enlightens as it entertains!

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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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