When it comes to Halloween and spooky season, Hollywood loves to scare us with stories of vampires, werewolves, zombies and supernatural haunts. But for Black Americans, some of the most scary stories aren’t founded in fiction–they’re rooted in real life.
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Whether it’s another story about a wrongful imprisonment like the Kalief Browder case or the chilling case of Ajike Owens and her racist neighbor, for us–the spookiness of our lived experience isn’t reserved for just the month of October. And with platforms like Netflix that host a growing lineup of true-life documentaries that expose the horrors of injustice, racism, and more: these films remind us all that the terror Black people face doesn’t always come dressed in a white gown or wielding a chainsaw.
That’s why we felt it fitting to round up a handful of the most haunting, must-watch documentaries that confront the true nightmares impacting Black lives. Keep reading to get into it!
“The Perfect Neighbor”
We already told you about this one on Thursday, but if our descriptor wasn’t enough to dissuade you from watching– don’t say we didn’t warn you when you start giving your next door neighbors the side eye.
“13th”
Ava DuVernay’s 2016 documentary about the prison industrial complex and America’s years-long pattern of criminalization of Black people is one that still haunts us to this day. The scariest part about it? The fact that nothing has changed.
“Time: The Kalief Browder Story”
The tragic story of Kalief Browder and his false imprisonment is the stuff of every Black parent’s nightmares. Watching your child go to one of the worst prisons in the country for a crime they never committed and the scary aftermath and impact is something that no fictional scary movie could ever measure up to.
“Katrina: Come Hell or High Water”
Over 20 years later, the city of New Orleans and the Black people who live there are still dealing with the horrific aftermath from Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Hearing first-hand accounts of the loss and the hurt from these folks is truly some of the most heart-breaking things ever. And what makes it scary is that it’s unclear if the government officials who failed the city and the people in it really learned their lesson.
“Who Killed Malcolm X?”
The mysterious death of one of America’s most iconic civil rights leaders–Malcolm X–is one of those stories that make you think twice about who you call your brother and the amount of trust you put into those closest to you. The fact that we still don’t have a real picture as to was reportedly responsible for his death all these years later is just mind-boggling.
“American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson”
Y’all already know at least one O.J. Simpson documentary was going to make this list. Despite how popular he may have been and how much pop culture seems to like to make light of it, the killings he stood accused of and the frenzy that ensued afterward make this a scary watch in more ways than one.
“Strong Island”
The story of the death of William Ford may not be as widely known as some other wrongfully killed Black men, but his sister Yance is trying to change that. Believe us when we tell you that the harrowing things about his case go from bad to worse to devastating.
“Tell Them You Love Me”
In one of the most disturbing documentaries released in the last few years, “Tell Them You Love” centers around a white Rutgers University professor and her controversial “relationship” with a Black, non-verbal man with cerebral palsy. Prepare to be equal parts outraged at this woman’s narrative and horrified at how things all played out.
“Trial 4”
Four trials. That’s how long it’s been taking Sean K. Ellis to get his name cleared in the 1993 shooting of a white Boston police officer. His story, much like other Black teens who were swept up in the waves of police corruption and racism, is one that’ll make it hard for you to sleep.
“Remastered: Devil at the Crossroads: A Robert Johnson Story”
The tale of legendary blues singer Robert Johnson selling his soul to the devil in exchange for fame and talent may sound like an old wive’s tale (or a slight inspiration for “Sinners,”) but after watching this documentary–you may just walk away a believer. And a bit spooked out.
“Remastered: The Two Killings of Sam Cooke”
Who would’ve thought that Sam Cooke, one of the country’s most beloved voices at one point, would have a surprising death in 1964? The scariest part about this, though, is that there’s way more to the story than you might think.
“Surviving R. Kelly”
There’s no doubt that we’ve talked at length about R. Kelly and his infamous fall from grace, RICO case, and overall disturbing convictions. But the way this documentary breaks down just how disgusting things were for the women and girls in his orbit will truly have you stuck in your seat, arguably triggered and gutted.
(Fair warning though: this documentary may not be available to watch in some countries.)
“Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult”
OK so while this documentary about the crazy TikTok dance cult that isolated popular social media dancers and influencers isn’t exclusive to just Black people, the stories of the few Black people who got involved with this is still frightening to hear.
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