.png)
More than just an average horror movie, “Get Out” is an exhilaratingly and impeccably made film that leaves a stellar impression. Director Jordan Peele is fearless due to the concept of a black man who is entrenched in a white nightmare.
Chris Washington, played by Daniel Kaluuya, goes on a trip to meet his girlfriend, Rose Armitage,played by Allison Williams. This visit soon turns into an intense and nail biting couple of nights that reveal the Armitages’ menacing secret. This secret ultimately explains why the only workers on the property are black and why they seem to act strange to say the least.
Off the bat it is clear the black individuals act different. Georgina, played by Betty Gabriel ,from the first moment the camera shows her, is chipper and only moralizes her duties in the house and how good the Armitage family is to her. Her peculiar personality becomes even more visible as the movie goes on.
The film addresses the concept of racism in a very relative and disturbing way. At first, there are a few glimpses involving rhetoric the characters use when meeting Chris for the first time. Rose’s brother, Jeremy Armitage, played by Caleb Jones, makes a comment to Chris on his “genetic makeup.” In short, he basically states that Chris is putting it to waste by not pushing himself athletically because he is “physically inclined” because of his race.
The father, Dean Armitage, played by Bradley Whitford, addresses Chris as “my man” and he awkwardly tells him he’d vote for Obama for a third term if he could. These types of comments made by the Caucasian character show the awkwardness of the family.
Even in these small areas of dialogue there is loaded language that shows systematic values and perceptions of black individuals. Peele, in this film, purposely does this to make the viewer feel uneasy, but also to realize that the rhetoric and behaviors aren’t unrealistic. The movie is constantly moving and there is a lack of stagnant moments in the film. Being on edge is also another tactic the director uses to convey the parallels of systemic racism. A parallel that is utilized in the film is the auction, and how the family members and friends raise their cards while bidding for Chris, making him seem like a piece of property. This parallel creates a powerful statement that will surely stick with viewers.
The film also offers spurts of humor that are used intentionally to shift the mood. This humor is shown between Chris and Rod (played by LiRel Howery). Their friendship is implemented to show concern when Chris goes missing, and when Rod offers his peculiar insight to police as to why his friend doesn’t come home Sunday.
The most peculiar of his ideas is that the black individuals that go to that town and never show up are being brainwashed and used as sex slaves. Although that isn’t exactly what happens to those people, brainwashing and hypnotism are used in order to change the personalities of the individuals, and make them shells of themselves.
“Get Out” is like nothing that has come out this year. It isn’t a cliché horror film, it’s one that addresses issues still rooted in society. The plot twists are very effective in portraying the nightmare that the main character goes through. This nightmare is vivid and all too real in the movie, which makes it vividly realistic.
This film was directed superlatively and was conveyed with a form of poise that will leave the viewer astonished. “Get Out” is currently showing in theaters and is rated R.