Director Spike Lee is considered to have coined the term “Magical Negro” in referring to black characters in fiction who solely exist to give mystical sage advice to white protagonists before suddenly disappearing. The trope has been going around even before Lee coined the term back in 2001, and now they’re making an entire movie around the concept.
Check out the trailer for The American Society of Magical Negroes:
Here’s the official description:
For centuries, there has been a society hidden in plain sight, working in secret to protect Black people from harm. It’s called THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MAGICAL NEGROES.
Admittedly, a lot of people thought the trailer was going to be some kind of ‘Black Harry Potter’ film, but the teaser ended up relying heavily on the rom-com elements that it led to a lot of people being disappointed. Here’s what some people on Twitter have been saying about the film:
When I saw "The American Society of Magical Negroes" I thought it was going to be like this pic.twitter.com/ufj75qqG6G
— Patience…🪬 (@Patiencexx4) December 16, 2023
The writers and actors of “The American Society Of Magical Negroes” when they logged on to Twitter. pic.twitter.com/4WzzfaJjT0
— You Aint Handsome, You Ugly! (@PutROSSInUrLife) December 15, 2023
I don’t think that folks are wrong for being disappointed in the trailer for The American Society of Magical Negroes but also why are some of y’all being so rude about it 😬 pic.twitter.com/xjjgpu6tvk
— the uncanny tiffie ̊ ∘˚˳°✧ (@TiffieStarchild) December 16, 2023
A lot of people aren’t happy with the premise at all that a secret society of black people are in charge of white people’s happiness, and it’s kind of understandable. If anything, there is an interesting angle to the film, with the ‘magical negro’ being a supporting character that has to suddenly take charge and embrace becoming the main character of the film.
I guess a lot of negativity comes with the reputation of romantic comedies, but I love the genre, and I’m going to let the movie cook for a while before I start making judgements.
The American Society of Magical Negroes comes to theaters on March 22.
