Delving into a century of genre films that by turns utilized, caricatured, exploited, sidelined, and finally embraced them, Horror Noire traces a secret history of Black Americans in Hollywood through their connection to the horror genre. Debuting as Shudder’s first original documentary and adapted by executive producer Robin Means Coleman’s seminal book, Horror Noire will present the living and the dead, using new and archival interviews from scholars and creators; the voices who survived the genre’s past trends, to those shaping its future.

See What The Critics Are Saying:

“An excellent example of how to make cinema history accessible, informative, and even moving for a broader audience” – Vulture

“Horror Noire is a must-see for horror fans, film-lovers in general, and for anyone concerned with issues of social justice and representation” – Forbes

“It’s important to think of Horror Noire as a first chapter, a beginning point in our discussion of blackness within the genre. It stands out as a necessary documentary within the genre, because it doesn’t seek to drag us back to the past, but to make us aware that where we’ve been is all the more crucial because of where we are and where we’re going” – The Hollywood Reporter

“thoughtful, exhilarating watch, which finds hope in even the bloodiest maw“ – The Verge 

“Beyond serving as a contextualized documentation of African-American engagement with horror, the filmmakers hope “Horror Noire” will contribute to the ongoing debate around race, history, and the genre, and trigger more nuanced on-screen explorations into the power wielded by the genre.” – IndieWire

“Horror Noire provides a loving survey of horror made for black audiences, and a list of must-see classics to watch (or rewatch) for every horror fan“ – Polygon