The Blackening Ending Explained
The Blackening is a horror comedy film that centers around a group of friends reuniting for a weekend getaway on Juneteenth. What starts as a fun-filled celebration quickly turns into a deadly game when they become trapped in a cabin in the woods and are targeted by a masked killer. The ending of The Blackening reveals the true identity of the killer, their motivations, and the potential for a sequel.
The mastermind behind the killings is Clifton, portrayed by Jermaine Fowler. Initially, Clifton appears to be a misplaced member of the weekend gathering, claiming to have received an invitation from Morgan. The group, out of spite, votes him as “the Blackest” and he is seemingly eliminated when the masked killer shoots him with an arrow in the chest. However, it is later revealed that Clifton is still alive and responsible for orchestrating the events.
Clifton’s motivations for the killings stem from a deep-seated resentment towards his former friends. Ten years prior, during a game night at the same house, Clifton unintentionally broke a rule while playing Spades and became the subject of ridicule from the group. This humiliation drove him to drink for the first time, leading to a fatal decision. He got behind the wheel and ended up causing a car accident that resulted in a woman’s death. Clifton received a prison sentence and harbored resentment towards the group, particularly Lisa, whose hurtful comment about his “Black card” being revoked stuck with him.
Throughout the film, there are clues that hint at Clifton being the killer. He claims to have been invited despite no one recalling sending him an invitation. He possesses a game piece symbolizing him, even though he wasn’t initially intended to be part of the gathering. Clifton consistently encourages the group to participate in the games and follow the instructions of the masked man.
The twist in the ending involves the Connor twins, Camden and Clive, who were hired by Clifton to act as the masked killers. The characters take a while to realize that there are two killers, discovering the truth after Allison kills one of them and notices the different boots. Clifton hired the Connor twins, portrayed as rednecks, to wear the masks and attempt to kill his former friends. He promised them a payment of $100 for each person they managed to kill.
The Connor twins’ involvement adds another layer to the story. They are initially introduced as peculiar gas station attendants, with Camden drawing suspicion from Shanika. Clifton likely chose them due to their connection to the house in the woods, which their family owns. The presence of a Confederate Flag and the implication that the Connor family typically rents the house to white families suggest that Camden and Clive may have been racists, making them willing participants in the deadly game.
The deaths in The Blackening include Shawn, who is shot in the neck by the masked killer. Morgan is tortured by the Connor twins and killed when she tries to escape. Officer White is shot in the neck with an arrow and is presumed dead. During the climax, both Camden and Clive die. Camden is repeatedly stabbed by Allison with arrowheads, and Clive has his face crushed by a large statue wielded by Lisa.
Although it appears that Clifton dies in the ending, there is a possibility that he may still be alive. Shanika shoots him in the chest with an arrow, and Dewayne kicks him into a well. The group drops an item down the well and hears it hit the water below, implying that Clifton could have survived the fall, considering he previously survived being shot in the chest. This leaves room for potential sequels or continuation of the story.
The ending also sets up the potential for a sequel. Dewayne, Lisa, Nnamdi, King, Allison, and Shanika are the surviving characters who contemplate their next steps. In a humorous moment, they consider calling the police but ultimately decide to call firefighters instead. Since they are responsible for killing the Connor twins, it is possible that the rest of the Connor family might seek revenge. The fact that each of their names is listed for the rental suggests that the Connor family could pursue vengeance in a potential sequel to The Blackening.
Beyond the comedy and horror elements, The Blackening’s ending conveys a deeper message about the spectrum of Blackness. The movie centers around an all-Black cast in a horror setting and explores discussions about what it means to be “Blackest.” It challenges stereotypes and clichéd archetypes, highlighting the complexity and diversity of Black characters. The ending emphasizes that racial identity is not determined by superficial factors, such as being biracial, gay, married to a white person, successful, nerdy, or African. The Blackening seeks to dismantle these limiting narratives and celebrate the multifaceted nature of Black individuals.
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The Blackening Duration
“The Blackening” is a horror comedy film released in 2022, directed by Tim Story and written by Tracy Oliver and Dewayne Perkins. It is based on the 2018 short film of the same name created by the comedy troupe 3Peat. The movie has a running time of 97 minutes and features a talented cast including Grace Byers, Jermaine Fowler, Melvin Gregg, X Mayo, Dewayne Perkins, Antoinette Robertson, Sinqua Walls, Jay Pharoah, and Yvonne Orji.
The story revolves around a group of African-American friends who encounter a murderer while staying at a cabin in the woods. “The Blackening” made its debut at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival on September 16, 2022, and was later released in theaters on June 16, 2023, distributed by Lionsgate.
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TRENDING
The Blackening End Credits Scene
The Blackening features additional content during the end credits, providing viewers with extra scenes to enjoy. There are three short scenes that play out as the credits roll, offering additional moments related to the movie. Following these extra scenes, the cast and movie writers participate in several rounds of The Blackening-themed questions, reminiscent of the popular game show Family Feud. This segment adds a fun and interactive element for the audience, allowing them to engage further with the movie’s content.
It is worth mentioning that the Family Feud extra may have been an exclusive feature shown during private screenings or specific theater showings. Therefore, if you had a chance to watch The Blackening in a different theater, it would be helpful to contact the information provided below and let them know if the Family Feud extra was included in your screening. This feedback will assist in determining the availability of this additional content in different theaters. The end credits of The Blackening run for approximately 15 minutes, providing ample time for viewers to enjoy the extra scenes and the Family Feud-style rounds with the cast and writers.
For further details and additional movie-related information, you can access the RunPee app, which offers a range of features including a movie review for The Blackening by Dana Simone. The app also provides three designated Peetimes, which are specific moments within the movie where you can take a bathroom break without missing important plot developments. We hope this comprehensive explanation clarifies the presence of the end credits scenes and the associated Family Feud-style content in The Blackening.
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The Blackening Plot
Morgan and Shawn arrive at a secluded cabin in the woods, intending to celebrate Juneteenth with their group of friends. While exploring the basement, they stumble upon a disturbing board game called “The Blackening,” featuring racist caricatures. Suddenly, the lights go out, and a mysterious voice instructs them to play the game. When Shawn answers a question incorrectly, he is swiftly killed by an arrow to the neck. Morgan attempts to flee but is captured.
The following day, Lisa, Allison, and Dewayne arrive at the cabin, discussing the addition of Lisa’s unfaithful ex-boyfriend, Nnamdi, to the group for the weekend. On her way to the cabin, Shanika encounters a former schoolmate named Clifton at a gas station, who also joins the group. However, Shanika is disturbed by a menacing, facially-disfigured clerk who stands near her. Once everyone is together, they encounter Ranger White, who initially denies them entry but eventually resolves the situation, allowing them to set up for a night of festivities.
After indulging in drinks, drugs, and games, the group becomes curious about who specifically invited Clifton. The lights go out once again, prompting them to search for the power box. Instead, they come across The Blackening, with game pieces that correspond to each of their personalities. The voice from earlier returns and reveals that Morgan is being held captive, displayed on a TV monitor. To save Morgan, the friends are compelled to play the game, starting with trivia questions about black culture. Regrettably, they fail to answer satisfactorily when asked about the black actors who guest-starred on the TV show “Friends” (the “correct answer” being that they shouldn’t watch “Friends”), and Morgan is attacked.
The voice then instructs them to sacrifice one of their own, based on their perception of who is “the blackest.” Each person presents their defense, but ultimately, Clifton is chosen after admitting to voting for Donald Trump in both elections. Clifton goes outside and is fatally shot in the chest by the killer. Once released from the room, the friends decide to search for Morgan and seek help. Against their better judgment, they agree to split up. Allison goes with King and Shanika, while Dewayne accompanies Lisa and Nnamdi. The latter group encounters Ranger White, who initially offers assistance until the killer shoots him in the neck with an arrow.
Allison, King, and Shanika confront the killer and manage to overpower and kill him. Upon removing his mask, they discover he is the same clerk Shanika had encountered at the gas station. Lisa, Nnamdi, and Dewayne then encounter a second killer, whom Lisa dispatches by bashing his head in. Upon searching his pockets, they find evidence that he is the twin brother of the first killer, leading them to deduce that someone hired them for this deadly night.
The friends enter another room and discover Clifton’s seemingly lifeless body, only for him to suddenly awaken and reveal himself as the mastermind behind the events. Clifton blames the group for constantly doubting his “blackness,” which ultimately led to an incident where he drunkenly killed a woman in a road accident.
After serving four years in prison for the DUI, Clifton orchestrated the entire night as revenge and prepares to kill the remaining friends before throwing them down a well where Shawn and Morgan’s corpses were disposed of. However, the friends fight back, eventually causing Clifton to fall to his death down the well. As morning breaks, the friends call the authorities for help, but they are instead sprayed with a hose, leaving their fate uncertain.
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The Blackening Summary
The Blackening is a 2023 horror comedy film directed by Tim Story and written by Tracy Oliver and Dewayne Perkins. The story revolves around a group of African-American friends who gather at a cabin in the woods to celebrate Juneteenth. The main characters include Morgan, Shawn, Lisa, Allison, Dewayne, Shanika, King, Nnamdi, and Clifton.
The film begins with Morgan and Shawn discovering a board game called “The Blackening” in the cabin’s basement. As they start playing, the lights go out, and a mysterious voice forces them to continue. Shawn answers a question incorrectly and is killed, while Morgan is captured.
The next day, Lisa, Allison, and Dewayne join the group at the cabin, along with Clifton, who they later question about his invitation. Once again, the lights go out, and the friends find themselves trapped in a game controlled by the mysterious voice. They must answer trivia questions about black culture to save Morgan, but they fail to answer satisfactorily and Morgan is attacked.
The voice then demands that the friends sacrifice one of their own based on who they consider to be “the blackest.” Clifton is chosen due to his admission of voting for Donald Trump in both elections and is killed. The friends attempt to find Morgan and seek help, but they split up, leading to encounters with a killer and the revelation that there are two killers working together.
As the friends fight back, they discover that Clifton is the mastermind behind the night of terror, seeking revenge for being doubted in terms of his “blackness.” They manage to defeat him and alert the authorities, but they are unexpectedly sprayed with a hose.
The Blackening combines elements of comedy, horror, and thriller as it tackles themes of race and identity. The film features a talented cast including Grace Byers, Jermaine Fowler, Melvin Gregg, X Mayo, Dewayne Perkins, Antoinette Robertson, Sinqua Walls, Jay Pharoah, and Yvonne Orji. It premiered at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival and was released theatrically in 2023.
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The Blackening Cast
|
Cast |
Character |
|
Grace Byers |
Allison |
|
Jermaine Fowler |
Clifton |
|
Melvin Gregg |
King |
|
X Mayo |
Shanika |
|
Dewayne Perkins |
Dewayne |
|
Antoinette Robertson |
Lisa |
|
Sinqua Walls |
Nnamdi |
|
Jay Pharoah |
Shawn |
|
Yvonne Orji |
Morgan |
|
Diedrich Bader |
Officer White |
|
James Preston Rogers |
Camden Conner |
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The Blackening Where to Watch?
If you’re hoping to watch The Blackening (2023) online without any cost, you may have to exercise some patience. Currently, the movie is not available for free streaming. However, you can look forward to its future availability for rental or purchase on popular digital platforms such as Amazon, Vudu, YouTube, and Apple.
Additionally, there is a possibility that the film might eventually be included in the streaming library of platforms like Netflix, allowing subscribers to stream it at their convenience. So, keep an eye out for its release on these platforms and enjoy the movie when it becomes accessible to you.
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The Blackening Trailer
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