'Get Out' Review

From Night of the Living Dead to The People Under the Stairs, race has been a popular theme in horror cinema for many years now. What makes that fear of racial violence and discrimination more terrifying than zombies or witches is the fact that it's real, and still very relevant in today's society. In his directorial debut, Get Out, comedian Jordan Peele uses this idea of racial fear in a way that we haven't quite seen before. The film revolves around a young African American photographer named Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) and his caucasian girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams) as they visit her parents' mysterious estate. Upon arriving, Chris can't help but feel as though something sinister is afoot, and it's not long before his suspicions prove to be all too real. Peele uses this idea of racial fear and displays it from the perspective of a young black man surrounded by white people, what results is a thrilling tale of isolation and paranoia that will keep you captivated right until the cathartic ending.

Leading man Daniel Kaluuya (Sicario, Black Mirror) gives a harrowing performance as Chris, a photographer who takes a trip with his girlfriend to visit her family. Kaluuya really conveys that sense of paranoia felt by Chris, being the only black man surrounded by white people, he brings to life that real fear of racial discrimination and isolation. He is a sympathetic character who we desperately root for right up until the bloody end. Allison Williams (Girls) plays his girlfriend Rose and shares an excellent onscreen chemistry with Kaluuya, she particularly shines in the third act when the tension really starts to build. Bradley Whitford (The Cabin in the Woods) plays Allison's dad in a charming, yet subtly sinister performance, while Catherine Keener (Into the Wild) plays her mother, who I found to be the films most terrifying character. The real standout performance for me, however, was stand up comedian Lil Rey Howery as Chris' friend Rod. Rod acts as the films comic relief and his scenes had me in fits of laughter, it's in his dialogue where we are reminded of Peele's talent for comedy. He provides a nice balance to the horrific events unfolding elsewhere in the film.

Of course, we almost forget that Peele is a comedian due to his excellent knowledge of crafting a good horror film. He doesn't rely on cheap jump scares or excessive gore, but instead, that sense of detachment felt by the protagonist throughout. Despite how welcoming Roses family are to Chris, there is still this constant feeling that he is on his own, as though there is some inside joke and he is the only one who doesn't get it. As the events start to become even more bizarre, the sense of isolation and the feeling of paranoia felt by Chris start to become even stronger, making the final punch line much more effective. I found the final payoff incredibly disturbing, after spending the whole film watching this mystery unravel and constantly guessing the motives of the antagonists, it soon became clear that things were much worse than I had predicted. That's another thing that made Get Out so encapsulating, unpredictability. The antagonists are not rednecks or skinheads, they're white, middle-class liberals who show no evident signs of racist tendencies. It is because of this that we are never quite sure of their motives until they are finally revealed in the third act when things really start to get weird.

For a first time director, Peele already displays a fine knowledge of the craft and how to build an effective horror film. This becomes clear in the opening scene when he utilises a tracking shot to create an incredibly chilling moment, assuring us that the film we are about to watch is something special. Peele knows how to create good jump scares, but doesn't use them excessively like a lot of modern horror filmmakers tend to do. Instead he limits the explicit shocks and opts for more subtle ones, relying moreso on the atmosphere to bring to life this consistent feeling of dread throughout. Peeles directorial talents are matched only by his writing abilities, generating this excellent script that balances horror and comedy, and holds a number of twists and turns lying in wait for the viewer. One aspect that really stuck with me however was the chilling score composed by Michael Abels. As well as contributing to the overall atmosphere, it feels as though it is rooted in black culture, sticking with the prevalent themes of race within the film. This, I believe, was Peele's intention in the first place.

Get Out is a chilling debut from director Jordan Peele that displays his excellent talent for the craft and knowledge of the horror genres technicalities. Peele creates this enthralling tale of seclusion and paranoia that highlights some of the real fears that African Americans face in regards to race. The whole film feels grounded, it feels relevant, and that sense of realism is what makes Get Out all the more terrifying. Packed with wonderful performances, a fantastic script, and tension that you could cut with a butter knife, Jordan Peele's directorial debut displays that the man has a talent for the horror genre that is on par with his talent for comedy. It has left me feeling incredibly excited for whatever he plans to do next.