Unlike most horror movies released today, Jordan Peel's "Get Out" includes an important political message behind its psychologically thrilling premise. Commenting on race issues faced by African Americans in modern American society, "Get Out" addresses the 'liberal elite' (according to Peele) and their appropriation of black culture without understanding the concerning implications of their actions. Before I go on with my review, I want to say that there are going to be minor spoilers ahead, so please stop reading if you have not seen the movie and go watch the movie!
"Get Out" stars Daniel Kaluuya and Allison Williams as Chris and Rose, an interracial couple who have dated for half a year. Chris is nervous about meeting Rose's parents due to his skin color, but Allison reassures him, even saying that her father would have voted for President Obama a third term if he could. Despite hitting a deer on their way there, Chris finds Allison's parents (Deen and Missy Armitage) to be welcoming of him. However, he finds it odd when he meets the Armitage's maid and groundskeeper, two African Americans who seem to be from another century. Things get stranger when Missy, a hypnotist, hypnotizes Chris into breaking his habit of smoking, but he believes her to have done more to his mind. As time progresses, Chris meets more strange characters as the Armitages throw a yearly get-together party. After finding one black person in a sea of white people at the party, Chris sees that something is off with this man. Since Chris seems to recognize him, it prompts him to take a picture of this strange man. All hell breaks loose, as it appears the man goes into an epileptic seizure due to the camera flash and warns Chris to "get out." Becoming concerned with his wellbeing after now constantly being subjected to racism from the Armitages and their friends, Chris sleuths with his pal Randy from back at home as to what dark secrets the Armitages hold. What they uncover is horrifying beyond compare.
After watching shows like "MadTV" and "Key and Peele," I was pleasantly surprised to find that Jordan Peele can write a great horror movie. Of course, there were many funny bits in the movie because it wouldn't be a Peele movie without some humor, but the humor definitely doesn't detract from the tension that builds throughout the film. The writing was superb as the characters from the movie felt like real, everyday people with their quirky dialogue and conversations. The layers to this story are truly what make the movie an artistic masterpiece that critiques racial relations in modern society. Furthermore, the acting by the main performers (especially Daniel Kaluuya) was phenomenal. There was a scene that had Chris reliving a horribly traumatic experience from childhood, and Daniel Kaluuya was able to go there emotionally with his character, which was absolutely mesmerizing to watch. Even though I haven't seen much of him, I am definitely looking forward to seeing him in more projects because his acting skills are amazing.
With a great script that featured a great story filled with full-of-depth characters and superb performances by the cast, "Get Out" is an outstanding film that offers a thrilling experience from beginning to end. Horror fans should undoubtedly watch it, but I believe that everyone should watch this unique film as it offers an important message about today's society. I know I, for one, am glad to have seen this masterpiece of a film.
