The mind is a terrible thing to waste, and Get Out doesn’t waste any time invading yours…
In his directorial and screenwriting debut, comedic mastermind, Jordan Peele, crafts a stylistic blend of horror and comedy in the form of Get Out. Acting as a social critique, this genre mash-up introduces a fresh take on racially motivated prejudice. Peele expertly blends social issues within the narrative and even slips in some callback horror devices, such as a high note piano key at a jump scare. Peele masterfully sets up the pins and knocks them down at the right moments to steadily reveal twists that would give M. Night Shyamalan a run for his money.
Get Out follows the story of Chris (David Kaluuya), an African-American who takes a trip to visit the family of his caucasian girlfriend, Rose (Allison Williams). Not everything appears to be copacetic in this stereotypical family estate, as Chris begins to notice certain peculiarities amongst the family itself. Chris initially believes that Rose’s parents are overcompensating with the welcome mat on account of his interracial relationship with their daughter. Through the unnerving actions of the parents and that of the family employees (who are also African-American), Chris naturally becomes suspicious which leads to him uncover a series of shocking discoveries.
This film delivers an intriguing mystery with the right amount of twists that’s in the same vein as Gore Verbinski’s, A Cure for Wellness, released earlier this year. Peele delivers a story that follows a familiar premise with one exception, the antagonists are not neo-nazis or white supremacists. They are just your typical 401K, middle-class, nuclear family. That’s where Peele’s genius shines through, by delivering a message that showcases elitist conceitedness in a satirical context which mirrors the real world. Peele manages to confront the audience with issues that are prevalent and important in today’s society that are often unaddressed or simply ignored. Some of these issues are more obvious than others, but it is still apparent that something isn’t right. With themes that extend beyond the thought-provoking narrative, Get Out is an entertaining story that is immersive and shocking as it is funny.
Get Out will be released on May 4. In the meantime, check out the trailer below.
