Black Zombie (2026)
Out of every genre, few have provided such a poignant opening for social commentary and purpose as horror. Just in cinema alone, from its earliest days, the horror genre provided outlets to explore the fears of society. Within this, two categories can often be found. The first sees artists use the horror genre, and specifically the social dynamic of othering and vilifying the "other", to shed a light on the injustice found within society. This is especially seen in the classic Universal Monster productions of the 1930s, where tales of Dracula and Frankenstein cannot be separated from the personal connections to those in front of and behind the camera. The other category is a more damaging one. By projecting an identity or concept on screen as monstrous, films can have devastating and problematic effects as they turn humans into an angry mob, fearful and hateful because of a fictional story. After the release of Steven Spielberg's Jaws, global shark and ray populations dropped over 70% as more and more hunters turned towards sharks in response to the film, causing lasting and devastating effects on the ocean ecosystem, which is still being felt to this day. While these real-life connections and consequences can often be overlooked by initial and mainstream reactions, their impacts are still felt, and analyzing horror under this lens can lead to completely new understandings and appreciations for the genre. Screening at the 2026 SXSW Film Festival, Maya Annik Bedward's Black Zombie takes audiences through the history of the zombie genre on film, exploring how the genre has evolved and touched both of these categories during its existence.
Starting at the dawn of the cinematic zombie genre with Victor Halperin's 1932 film, White Zombie, Black Zombie is a must-watch for horror fans as the film comprehensively guides viewers through the history of zombie cinema. From George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead to Wes Craven's The Serpent and the Rainbow, the film uses interviews with both fans and filmmakers to discuss how the genre has evolved, for better or for worse. Naturally, this also discusses an evolution of the horror genre as a whole, as the zombie genre's transformation often reflected changes within the larger genre. The result is an incredibly rich text that pushes audiences to think critically about the genre and identify how and why it changed alongside a changing society and rise in filmmaking ability. While Black Zombie clearly loves film, it is also quick to reasonably criticize the art form and its portrayal of race and autonomy.
The zombie genre was born out of the unique power dynamics associated with people of color. The genre drew from the power dynamics of slavery and portrayed zombies as being held in a perpetual state of forced obedience and lifelessness, where the soul and humanity have been stripped from the body, which must follow orders and instructions. Zombie cinema also has direct ties to often problematic portrayals of Voodoo and African religious roots. The zombie narrative, tied to a representation of people of color, allowed for both portrayals calling for empathy and portrayals condemning people of color as dangers to white society. Black Zombie is flawless in how it navigates these complex waters with a perfect usage of talking head interviews to give context and understanding.
The film, while educational, also carries a wonderful care and respect for the power of film and filmmaking on a more subjective level. The documentary calls on black filmmakers and film fans to discuss the power of horror and of cinema that portrays black trauma. These films can help individuals digest and work through their own individual trauma, being an empowering and healing force. This human element is one that is often ignored, but carries a tremendous weight and elevates Black Zombie to an even higher level. For anyone concerned that the film might come off as overly dry, make no mistake that Black Zombie is an emotionally engaging and worthy feature that never loses steam throughout a perfectly designed 90-minute runtime.
Part of this engagement also comes from the film's editing. The editing team collects an impressive array of footage from all types of media to present the audience with examples and context. Even if an audience member had never seen a zombie film, Black Zombie does an excellent job of bringing these films and these social moments to the audience. The range of focus also goes far beyond just that of cinema. Zombies have become a cultural cornerstone with the help of modern populist media like The Walking Dead, and Black Zombie includes the wide scope of modern Zombie culture in its discussion and perspectives. The amount of footage highlighting Zombie's presence in culture, from in-person cosplay events to comedic answers on Family Feud, is impressive and makes it clear that the film took its time in research to build a proper scope on the topic.
While the topic of zombies is an obviously rich one with deep roots in social commentary and racial depiction, Black Zombie feels like a definitive text on the topic that elevates the conversation on the topic. Perfectly crafted, the film finds strong throughlines as it tackles an impossibly large and charged topic, creating a focused and effective final voice that feels must-watch for horror fans
Starting at the dawn of the cinematic zombie genre with Victor Halperin's 1932 film, White Zombie, Black Zombie is a must-watch for horror fans as the film comprehensively guides viewers through the history of zombie cinema. From George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead to Wes Craven's The Serpent and the Rainbow, the film uses interviews with both fans and filmmakers to discuss how the genre has evolved, for better or for worse. Naturally, this also discusses an evolution of the horror genre as a whole, as the zombie genre's transformation often reflected changes within the larger genre. The result is an incredibly rich text that pushes audiences to think critically about the genre and identify how and why it changed alongside a changing society and rise in filmmaking ability. While Black Zombie clearly loves film, it is also quick to reasonably criticize the art form and its portrayal of race and autonomy.
The zombie genre was born out of the unique power dynamics associated with people of color. The genre drew from the power dynamics of slavery and portrayed zombies as being held in a perpetual state of forced obedience and lifelessness, where the soul and humanity have been stripped from the body, which must follow orders and instructions. Zombie cinema also has direct ties to often problematic portrayals of Voodoo and African religious roots. The zombie narrative, tied to a representation of people of color, allowed for both portrayals calling for empathy and portrayals condemning people of color as dangers to white society. Black Zombie is flawless in how it navigates these complex waters with a perfect usage of talking head interviews to give context and understanding.
The film, while educational, also carries a wonderful care and respect for the power of film and filmmaking on a more subjective level. The documentary calls on black filmmakers and film fans to discuss the power of horror and of cinema that portrays black trauma. These films can help individuals digest and work through their own individual trauma, being an empowering and healing force. This human element is one that is often ignored, but carries a tremendous weight and elevates Black Zombie to an even higher level. For anyone concerned that the film might come off as overly dry, make no mistake that Black Zombie is an emotionally engaging and worthy feature that never loses steam throughout a perfectly designed 90-minute runtime.
Part of this engagement also comes from the film's editing. The editing team collects an impressive array of footage from all types of media to present the audience with examples and context. Even if an audience member had never seen a zombie film, Black Zombie does an excellent job of bringing these films and these social moments to the audience. The range of focus also goes far beyond just that of cinema. Zombies have become a cultural cornerstone with the help of modern populist media like The Walking Dead, and Black Zombie includes the wide scope of modern Zombie culture in its discussion and perspectives. The amount of footage highlighting Zombie's presence in culture, from in-person cosplay events to comedic answers on Family Feud, is impressive and makes it clear that the film took its time in research to build a proper scope on the topic.
While the topic of zombies is an obviously rich one with deep roots in social commentary and racial depiction, Black Zombie feels like a definitive text on the topic that elevates the conversation on the topic. Perfectly crafted, the film finds strong throughlines as it tackles an impossibly large and charged topic, creating a focused and effective final voice that feels must-watch for horror fans