5 Black Horror Directors You Should Know About This Halloween in Addition to Jordan Peele
While Jordan Peele has undeniably redefined modern horror with his socially conscious and terrifying films like “Get Out” and “Us,” there’s a rich legacy of Black directors who have also made significant contributions to the genre.
With movies like Ernest R. Dickerson’s “Juice” and Rusty Cundieff’s “Tales from the Hood,” these filmmakers brought fresh perspectives--blending cultural narratives, supernatural elements, and real-life horrors to create films that explore both the human experience and the things that go bump in the night.
As Halloween approaches, we’re shining a light on five other trailblazing Black filmmakers whose horror films deserve a spot on your spooky season watchlist.
Ernest R. Dickerson
Dickerson is perhaps best known for his work as Spike Lee’s longtime cinematographer, but his directorial debut in horror with “Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight” garnered him a cult classic. With its mix of supernatural terror and gory thrills, this movie holds a special place in the hearts of horror fans.
Kasi Lemmons
Kasi Lemmons is more widely known for directing dramas like “Harriet.” However, the director has a few classics in her repertoire, including “The Caveman’s Valentine” and her 1997 gothic drama “Eve’s Bayou.”
William Crain
No Black horror director list would be complete without William Crain, the man behind the 1972 blaxploitation horror classic “Blacula.” As one of the first films to feature a Black vampire in the title role, it inspired a wave of blaxploitation-themed horror films.
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Bill Gun
Bill Gunn was a visionary ahead of his time, using horror as a canvas to explore deeper societal themes. His groundbreaking 1973 film “Ganja & Hess” challenged traditional vampire tropes.
Spencer Williams Jr.
Way before today’s horror filmmakers made their mark, Spencer Williams Jr. was already paving the way with “Son of Ingagi,” one of the first horror films to feature an all-Black cast. Released in 1940, the movie tells the wild story of a mad scientist who brings an ape-like creature to life, leading to chaos.
While it might not be as well-known today, “Son of Ingagi” was a trailblazer for its time and a major milestone in Black film history.
