The highly anticipated trailer for Jordan Peele’s forthcoming documentary, High Horse: The Black Cowboy, has been released, marking his first project since the 2022 film, Nope. The trailer, which debuted on YouTube on November 6, 2023, sets the stage for a three-part series that explores the often overlooked history and cultural significance of Black cowboys in America.
The documentary aims to challenge the traditional narrative surrounding cowboys, illustrated by a poignant quote from writer Michael Harriot: “If there were no Black cowboys, then America wouldn’t exist.” Another voice in the trailer underscores a critical point, stating, “The Black cowboy was intentionally removed from the story, so we can create the myth of the American white cowboy.” This framing indicates the documentary’s intent to address the historical erasure of Black cowboys from American lore.
The trailer opens with a dramatic confrontation between two men, one Black and one white, set against a dusty street backdrop. This visual immediately signifies the thematic exploration of race and representation within the cowboy narrative.
High Horse: The Black Cowboy is scheduled to premiere on Peacock on November 20, 2023. The documentary features interviews with prominent figures, including Pam Grier, Tina Knowles, Lori Harvey, and Bun B, among others. In a statement, Peele expressed gratitude toward Monkeypaw Productions for their commitment to amplifying the voices of Black cowboys and cowgirls. “Through High Horse: The Black Cowboy, their history is inseparable from the story of our country. This project aims to honor and celebrate their lasting legacy,” he said.
Directed by Jason Perez, the documentary is executive produced by a team that includes Peele, Win Rosenfeld, Keisha Senter, Jamal Watson, Mari Keiko Gonzalez, Liz Yale Marsh, Kadine Anckle, Tom Casciato, Sacha Jenkins, and Keith McQuirter.
This upcoming docuseries follows Peele’s success with Nope, a sci-fi horror thriller that tells the story of a brother and sister running a Black-owned horse ranch in Agua Dulce, California. The film, released in 2022, explores themes of spectacle and attention, specifically in the context of Hollywood’s portrayal of Black narratives.
In an interview with Fandango in June 2022, Peele shared his motivation for creating such impactful cinema. “I wrote it in a time when we were a little bit worried about the future of cinema. So the first thing I knew is I wanted to create a spectacle. I wanted to create something that the audience would have to come see,” he explained. He emphasized the importance of audience engagement, illustrating this by explaining the film’s title, which he hoped would provoke reactions during screenings.
As anticipation builds for High Horse: The Black Cowboy, Peele continues to establish himself as a leading voice in modern cinema, committed to bringing underrepresented stories to the forefront.
