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Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror (2019): Cast & Ratings

Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror (2019) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
100%
Echo Score
77
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Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 23m (83 min)
Director
Xavier Burgin
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
Studio
Shudder
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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
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Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror

· 12 more
Ratings

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).

77 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Videos

Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Horror Noire - Official Trailer [HD] | A Shudder Original Documentary
  • Trailer Shudder Horror Noire Trailer
Quiz

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

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In what year was the documentary 'Horror Noire' first released?

Details

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?

FAQ

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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