A STUDY OF THE REPRESENTATION OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN POST-HORROR FILMS

Abstract

Introduction: Historically, horror films have predominantly portrayed white characters in prominent and superior roles, consistently presenting them as more significant and developed than their Black counterparts. Consequently, Black characters were often marginalized, depicted as underdeveloped and lacking narrative agency when compared to white characters. In recent years, however, the genre has undergone a notable transformation in both form and content, resulting in more engaging narratives wherein Black characters have begun to occupy more prominent and central roles. Objective: The objective of this study is to analyze the representation of African-American characters in international horror films. Methods: This study employs a qualitative research methodology, using purposive sampling to select three films: Get Out (2017), Antebellum (2020), and Nope (2022). These films are analyzed through narrative elements, informed by the theoretical frameworks of the social construction of reality, postmodern horror genre theory, and critical race theory. Results: The study finds that the representation of African-American characters in the selected horror films significantly diverges from traditional horror conventions. These films focus explicitly on racial and ethnic discrimination, placing Black characters in central roles who are subjected to systemic oppression rooted in the ideology of white supremacy within contemporary society. In response, these characters resist and retaliate through innovative and subversive means. The narrative prominence of Black characters has increased, while the dominance of white characters has been diminished. Human-to-human conflict, particularly shaped by sociopolitical tensions, has emerged as a primary thematic focus. Conclusion: The representation of African-American characters in postmodern horror cinema contributes to the social construction of reality by reshaping public perceptions of racial identity and power dynamics. These films not only redefine Black representation within the genre but also suggest a growing ideological shift. This shift implies the potential emergence of a new narrative paradigm centered on "Black Supremacy" in future horror films, inverting traditional power structures and challenging long-standing cinematic norms.