It’s October which means it’s spooky season, Halloween. One of the best things about Halloween, besides the costumes, are the horror movies. Halloween classics, like Hocus Pocus, Halloween, Friday the 13th, and Nightmare on Elm Street are always a must-watch, but this year’s Halloween must-watch movies are a little different.
This October, streaming platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV, are releasing Black horror films all directed by Black directors and starring Black actors we know and love. Since Jordan Peele’s genre-bending blockbuster hit “Get Out”, released in 2017, Black horror movies are now a must-see genre. Horror and thriller movies weren’t typically led by Black actors or directors, but now with a seemingly Black renaissance happening in Hollywood, it’s the perfect time for the Black horror genre.
Below are a few movies to check out this Halloween:
Antebellum
“Antebellum” is one of the must-see new age Black horror films. Being one of the most anticipated movies of 2020, “Antebellum” follows a modern woman, Veronica Henley, played by Janelle Monae, who must escape from a 19th century slave plantation. Upon its digital release in September, “Antebellum” garnered mixed reviews from viewers and critics with a whopping score of 28% on Rotten Tomatoes. Even with a low score, audiences have raved about this psychological thriller.
“Antebellum is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time. The last 30 minutes are probably the best in any movie ever. Fantastic Job!” @WalrusHasHops said on Twitter.
“Antebellum” is available to rent on Apple TV and Prime Video for $19.99. So, go and grab some friends, and split the rental price to watch Antebellum!
His House
Upcoming Netflix film “His House” is the perfect mixture of drama, thriller and paranormal. The movie follows a refugee couple who makes a harrowing escape from war-torn South Sudan seeking asylum, but they struggle to adjust to their new life in an English town that has an evil lurking beneath the surface. “His House” stars Wunmi Mosaku, actress in the hit HBO show “Lovecraft Country”. “His House” first premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year receiving rave reviews. This film brings a new outlook to the haunted house genre. “His House” will be available to stream on Netflix on October 30, so grab your popcorn and tune in.
Spell
Upcoming horror film “Spell” is the definition of creepy. Starring Omari Hardwick and Lorretta Devine, “Spell” tells the story of Marquis, played by Hardwick, as he travels to his hometown for his father’s funeral but runs into trouble after becoming trapped in the attic of Ms. Eloise, played by Devine, who practices voodoo. Just the trailer makes this movie a must-see. Spell is set to release October 30, 2020 on demand. This voodoo thriller is sure to be a great watch.
Black Box
If “Black Mirror” is one of your favorite shows, “Black Box” is sure to be on your radar. After losing his wife and memory in a car accident, Nolan, played by Mamoudou Athie, undergoes an agonizing experimental treatment given by Lillian, played by Phylicia Rashad, that causes him to question who he really is. This psychological thriller has critics raving and comparing to Get Out.
“Black Box” won’t galvanize audiences like “Get Out” into rethinking the way society interacts with itself,” Eric Kohn said in his “Black Box” movie review. “But it’s just shrewd enough to question how we interact with ourselves.”
“Black Box” is currently available on Amazon Prime Video.
Bad Hair
Yaani King Mondschein, Elle Lorraine, and Lena Waithe appears in Bad Hair by Justin Simien. Photo Courtesy indiewire.comDo you like movies with a mix of horror and comedy? Well “Bad Hair” is your next movie to watch. “Bad Hair” is a comedy horror about a woman’s new hair weave strikes terror as it takes a life of it’s on. Set in 1989, this movie dives into the image-obsessed world we live in and the pressures of being the beauty standard. Directed by Justin Simien, director of Netflix original, “Dear White People”, “Bad Hair” takes the term “hair weave killer” to another level. Despite the satire, this film tackles issues that black women face when it comes to hair.
“I actually think some of the things in the film that are most horrifying is the reality of hair care maintenance,” Simien said during an Urbanworld Film Festival interview.
Bad Hair premieres October 23 on Hulu.