Man, this was an incredible book. It isn’t often that a text can be both academic and deeply entertaining, offering a full spectrum of truly solid analytical takes while remaining consistently engaging. In The Black Guy Dies First, Dr. Robin R. Means Coleman and Mark H. Harris—two powerhouses in film theory and journalism—have compiled an extensive study that begins with a reflection on a horror cliché based on exclusion. From there, they expand into a powerful exploration of how Black filmmakers and audiences have transformed the genre into a space for cultural criticism and creative resistance across all areas of our culture.
What fascinates me most about this text is that it is, foremost, a masterclass in film criticism. It explores not only horror, but also gender studies, queer theory, Marxist class analysis, and postcolonialism, alongside the practical methodology, art, and business of filmmaking. The references are endless, spanning films I already know and deeply appreciate to many more I have yet to explore. Coleman and Harris highlight how inherently political horror has always been; it has never been just gory, cathartic entertainment, but rather a resilient genre that subverts major cultural conversations through the guise of a relatively unassuming pop-culture medium. While horror has always reflected society’s fears, Black horror specifically magnifies the suffering of a people historically ignored and abused. The authors offer an incredible examination of how these films comment on stereotypes, resistance, victimhood, survival, and exclusion. They tie these themes directly to real-world issues—from cultural appropriation and economic inequality to the legacies of slavery and police violence—as well as the daily headlines that remind us these problems aren’t going away anytime soon. Ultimately, they show how reclaiming these narratives has become a modern cornerstone of Black culture.
With an extensive bibliography, a collection of entertaining listicles, incredible authority, and a voice that simultaneously engages both the academic and entertainment sides of my brain, this book is a triumph. It is a brilliant read for scholars and fans alike.
The Black Guy Dies First: Black Horror Cinema From Fodder To Oscar comes out in February from S&S / Saga Press.
Garrett Zecker 