Comedy and horror have always made for a uniquely entertaining fusion. Both genres rely on similar storytelling structure — a good scare operates similarly to a great punchline. Both rely on surprise for their ideal effect, catching the audience by surprise with a sudden but effective turn. When the two genres work in tandem, they can be some of the best examples of either genre, with films like M3GAN highlighting how entertaining the combination can be.
But the best examples of the fusion are the ones that manage to retain a character focus throughout, using the horror elements in an authentic manner while still retaining the clear characters of the best-written comedies. In 2023, one of the best examples of that concept can be seen in The Blackening. The comedy — now available on DVD and Blu-ray from Lionsgate — is at times a sly subversion of the genre’s tropes, a well-constructed horror tale in its own right, and a strong character-driven comedy. At its best, it matches the tone and tenor of Shaun of the Dead, which is still the golden standard for the genre-fusion.
How The Blackening Fuses Horror With Character
The Blackening focuses on a group of friends who decide to reunite after a decade to celebrate Juneteenth. Although they’re happy to see each other again (for the most part), the lingering drama between them and the tension it creates risks to throw off a fun night of partying in the woods. Things only get more complicated when the group is forced to play a racially-charged board game and then survive the murderous efforts of a masked killer. Throughout the film, the bonds between the group are tested — as the self-aware group works together and fights back to survive the night.
A major crux of The Blackening is how the film subverts tropes of the horror movie genre, particularly those surrounding Black characters. However, these jokes aren’t the only function of the film. At times, The Blackening genuinely embraces its tone, using a surprisingly steady and durable threat to elicit tension. Characters have to fight for their lives and barely hide away from his gaze before they be caught and shot down. But the aspect of The Blackening that really completes the experience is how the film’s script — written by Tracy Oliver and Dewayne Perkins — juggles the character drama amidst all the jokes and scares. Allison and Dewayne’s frustrations with one another, Nnamdi’s attempts to prove his personal growth, and discussions about personal responsibility all feel particularly honest. There’s genuine character drama in the film, elevating it beyond the parody that it could be on a surface level.
Shaun of the Dead Mixes Zombies With Comedy
In that regard, it’s very similar to Shaun of the Dead. Directed by Edgar Wright and written by Wright and Simon Pegg, Shaun of the Dead is, on the surface, a hilarious riff on horror tropes — specifically zombie movies. Longtime slacker Shaun finds himself faced with a reckoning in his personal life — his step-dad is constantly disappointed in him, his roommate is frustrated with his even lazier best friend Ed, and his girlfriend Liz is on the verge of ending things. All of these problems are compounded by the onset of a zombie apocalypse, but Shaun takes the opportunity to try and “sort his life out” amidst all the chaos.
Like The Blackening, Shaun of the Dead is constantly hilarious. It plays with the conventions of the genre, subverting them in hysterical ways. The film also embraces the genuine tension behind the premise, occasionally shifting into actual horror territory when zombie hordes risk overwhelming and consuming the cast. But the film’s biggest strengths come with the way it’s actually a character comedy focused on Shaun’s growth. His efforts to prove himself frequently make things worse for himself and others, but his efforts to lead them to survival force him to prove his worth — not only to his friends and family but to himself.
What Makes Shaun of the Dead & The Blackening So Good
Shaun of the Dead and The Blackening both understand that the subversions of horror tropes can only go so far. While these elements provide plenty of solid comedy fodder and surprising scares, the character arcs at the heart of the film make them truly compelling. Shaun’s attempts to grow as a person are similar in that regard to the drama felt between Allison and Dwayne, forcing the show’s central characters to reflect on their advancing age and growing maturity. Even as the dangers they face prove mortally perilous, the real drive of both films is in the emotional challenges they have to overcome. Shaun loses multiple friends along the way, but the film is far more harrowing when Shaun confronts Ed over their friendship or faces the reality he may lose his mother once and for all.
Similarly, The Blackening is at its best when its characters are forced to confront their personal growth and the ways they’ve drifted apart over the years. Notably, it’s this delicate juggling act between horror parody, genuine scares, and effective drama that elevates the films beyond their surface-level elements. Their comedy and scares are strong, but it’s this focus on character that makes the films particularly compelling. The efforts of both films’ central casts to survive their predicament serve as the baseline for movies with strong emotional cores. The dangers they face are visually compelling metaphors for the challenges faced in their efforts to grow as people. In this regard, The Blackening reaches the same heights that Shaun of the Dead does and accomplishes great, impressive character work amidst the comedy and horror inherent to their presentation.
The Blackening is now available on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digitally.