Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror (2019): Cast & Ratings
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror is a 2019 documentary directed by Xavier Burgin, starring Meosha Bean, Ashlee Blackwell and Robin R. Means Coleman. It runs 1 hour 23 minutes. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 23m (83 min)
- Director
- Xavier Burgin
- Genre
- Documentary
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Shudder
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror About?
The premise of Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
This documentary explores the history of Black horror cinema, revealing the significant and often overlooked contributions of African American filmmakers to the genre. It traces the evolution of Black horror from its early pioneers to modern-day films, examining the cultural and social contexts that shaped these unique and impactful stories. The film highlights the artistry and innovation within Black horror, showcasing its lasting legacy on the horror landscape.
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- movie theater
- horror criticism
- horror movie director
- horror academic
- media anthropology
- sociology of film
- sociology
- writer
- sex scene
- death
- photograph
- civil rights movement
+38 more Show fewer
- reference to emmett till
- sexuality
- blood
- media studies
- 1960s
- 1970s
- blaxploitation
- movie making
- movie maker
- movie actor
- actor
- film actor
- 1980s
- 1990s
- 2000s
- movie industry
- 1930s
- movie history
- film industry
- film theory
- art
- entertainment industry
- social criticism
- ku klux klan
- black vampire
- black hero
- vampire
- psychotronic film
- reference to trayvon martin
- reference to woodrow wilson
- reference to oscar micheaux
- reference to spencer williams
- reference to duane jones
- reference to the john f. kennedy assassination
- reference to the malcolm x assassination
- reference to the martin luther king jr. assassination
- reference to jim crow laws
- reference to american international pictures
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror Cast
Meosha Bean leads the cast, with Ashlee Blackwell and Robin R. Means Coleman. Directed by Xavier Burgin; 16 actors are credited in all.
- Director Xavier Burgin
- Meosha Bean as themselves
- Ashlee Blackwell as themselves
- Robin R. Means Coleman as themselves
-
Keith David as themselves
Also Starring in Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror
· 12 more- William Crain Themselves
- Rusty Cundieff Themselves
- Loretta Devine
- Ken Foree Themselves
- Tananarive Due Themselves
- Richard Lawson Themselves
- Kelly Jo Minter Themselves
- Miguel A. Núñez Jr. Themselves
- Tony Todd Themselves
- Jordan Peele Themselves
- Paula Jai Parker Themselves
- Rachel True Themselves
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror Echo Score Breakdown
In Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror, the film excels as an illuminating historical survey and cultural critique. Critics praise its well-organized interviews and insightful narrative framing, while viewers note its informative archival presentation and moments of passionate reflection. Some point to occasional lulls in pacing and uneven narrative transitions. The documentary’s blend of scholarly analysis and emotional resonance sustains engagement despite minor structural hiccups. Overall, it stands as a necessary and thought-provoking contribution to horror scholarship.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 80
In terms of art and craft, the documentary demonstrates careful direction and a measured visual approach. It employs archival footage and interviews with clarity, though some viewers noted sparse artistic flourishes and modest production design. Editing stitches historical segments effectively but occasionally lags. Overall, the film’s technical presentation supports its narrative without drawing undue attention.
- Character & Emotion 85
When it comes to character and emotion, Horror Noire foregrounds personal testimonies and emotional candidness. Interviewees offer nuanced reflections on representation while archival voices underscore genuine passion. The film achieves emotional resonance through intimate anecdotes, though it does not focus on traditional character arcs. In sum, its strength lies in conveying authentic lived experiences rather than dramatized development.
- Story & Flow 75
In terms of story and flow, the documentary lays out a coherent historical progression with thematic chapters. The narrative traces Black horror contributions from early cinema to modern works, and maintains engagement through varied examples. Some viewers experienced uneven pacing during extended analytical segments. Overall, the structured chronology provides a clear throughline despite occasional temporal digressions.
- Sensory Experience 70
When assessing sensory experience, the film offers a straightforward audiovisual style. Archival clips and score integration emphasize historical context, though the soundtrack is largely functional rather than distinctive. Sound design cleanly navigates interview excerpts and film clips without distraction. Overall, the sensory elements effectively support the informational focus but do not stand out as a stylistic highlight.
- Rewatch Factor 65
Regarding rewatch factor, Horror Noire serves as a valuable reference for genre enthusiasts. The documentary’s rich archival footage and analytical commentary encourage repeat viewing for research or deeper insight. However, casual viewers may find limited entertainment value after the initial watch. Overall, its lasting appeal is strongest for those interested in film history and cultural studies rather than general rewatchability.
-
IMDb 7.5 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 100% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 66%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
TMDB 72% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.9 /5
7 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror Plot Summary
What happens in Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
This comprehensive documentary explores the complex and often turbulent history of African-Americans within the horror movie genre. To provide a deep dive into this subject, the film features insightful interviews with a diverse group of experts and industry professionals, including filmmaker Meosha Bean, Ashlee Blackwell, author and educator Robin R. Means Coleman, and the director of Blacula, William Crain. Further perspectives are provided by Rusty Cundieff, acclaimed actor Keith David, Loretta Devine, Tananarive Due, and the legendary Ken Foree. The discussion is further enriched by contributions from Richard Lawson, Kelly Jo Minter, Miguel A. Núñez Jr., Paula Jai Parker, Jordan Peele, Tony Todd, and Rachel True.
Full summary
The whole story of Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror, scene by scene
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer Shudder Horror Noire Trailer
How Well Do You Know Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In what year was the documentary 'Horror Noire' first released?
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror Also Known As
4 alternative titles, including “Horror Noire : A History of Black Horror” and “Horror Noire: Uma História do Horror Negro”.
- Also known as
-
- Horror Noire : A History of Black Horror
- Horror Noire: Uma História do Horror Negro
- 호러 느와르: 어 히스토리 오브 블랙 호러
- 黑色恐怖:黑人恐怖电影史
Seen Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror?
Movies Like Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Horror Noire, Nightmares in Red, White and Blue and Forgotten Scares: An In-depth Look at Flemish Horror Cinema.
-
Horror Noire 2021 -
Nightmares in Red, White and Blue 2009 -
Forgotten Scares: An In-depth Look at Flemish Horror Cinema 2017 -
Is That Black Enough for You?!? 2022 -
The Horror Show 1979 -
Dark and Deadly: Fifty Years of Film Noir 1995 -
Dr. Black, Mr. Hyde 1976 -
Exhumed: A History of Zombies 2020 -
The American Nightmare 2000 -
Film Noir: Bringing Darkness to Light 2006 -
A Century of Black Cinema 2003 -
Beyond Blood 2019
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror?
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror runs 1 hour 23 minutes (83 minutes).
When was Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror released?
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror was released on February 7, 2019.
Who directed Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror?
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror was directed by Xavier Burgin.
Who is in the cast of Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror?
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror stars Meosha Bean, Ashlee Blackwell and Robin R. Means Coleman, among 16 credited actors.
How is Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror rated?
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror has 7.5/10 on IMDb, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 72% on TMDB and 3.9/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror have a post-credit scene?
No. Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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