Jada Pinkett-Smith: My Favorite Final Girl
Tales From The Crypt: Demon Knight was one of the earliest horror films that made me fall in love with scary things. It was released exactly 26 years ago to the date on January 13th, 1995. In this graphic, but fun piece of terror was a young lady with the world in front of her — Ms. Jada Pinkett (Smith came later).
By this time, she had starred on tv in A Different World. On the resume was also Menace II Society, The Inkwell, Jason’s Lyric, and A Low Down Dirty Shame.
Demon Knight was an expansion of the Tales From The Crypt universe that netted three feature films. This one goes as follows:
Ex-soldier Frank Brayker (William Sadler) is the guardian of an ancient key that can unlock tremendous evil; the sinister but charming Collector (Billy Zane) is a demon who wants the key so he can initiate the apocalypse. On the run from wicked mercenaries for almost 90 years, Brayker finally stops in at a boarding house in New Mexico where — with the help of its quirky residents — he plans to face off against the Collector and his band of ghouls, preventing them from ever seizing the key.
Pinkett played “Jeryline”, an ex-convict out on work release. Her job got her much more than just some duties to stay busy. She soon ends up being the only hope for humanity. Rather than crumble in the face of evil, she spits in it — literally.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3MGT2fahAY
This was 1995, might I add. Hollywood was dominated by Will Smith (HA!), Bruce Willis, Jim Carrey, etc. etc. To be a young black woman and the protagonist was a big deal. Hell, she supplanted Cameron Diaz for the role, as director Ernest Dickerson explained speaking with bloodydisgusting.com:
“I was trying to figure out who can be my Jeryline,” explained Dickerson. “I always saw her as a small lady. I had gone to see Menace II Society and I saw Jada in that and I said, ‘That’s her!’ Now, Joel Silver, he wanted Cameron Diaz and I just couldn’t see Cameron in that role. I keep pushing Jada and finally, he agreed to meet her. She said, ‘What do I say to him?’ I said, ‘Just be yourself.’”
What made this story so unique is that it’s a horror movie with a black hero. Yet, another genre dominated by white men and women. As cliche as it sounds, it was refreshing to see someone black WIN. The trope of people of color dying first was on fresh legs back then.
And she just didn’t win, she put demons on their backs.
I must’ve watched this movie 100 times. I’m so happy they added Pinkett-Smith to the cast along with a host of other great actors and actresses. To those that followed, they have Mrs. Pinkett-Smith to thank. Maybe one day we will see HBO and TNT get the rights in order and get us a follow-up. Until then, it can be enjoyed on YouTube or iTunes.
