Modern-day Hollywood tends to stick with the remakes, sequels, and reboots, as those are the films that are usually guaranteed to make money, even if the films are not well received critically by audiences. But, every once in a while, there will be a gem in the debris that instills some faith that people still want to see new original concepts on the screen.
When you hear horror and Jordan Peele, you would not think the two would ever be synonymous with each other, but then February 2017 came around. The man known for his comedic roles on "Key and Peele" came out with a completely original horror film called "Get Out" that brought multiple new concepts to the table, addressed real-world issues regarding race, and still managed to have a good sense of humor throughout.
"Get Out" did not have to rely on jump scares, monsters, or gore; it was a film that was scary because most of it could actually happen. Peele changed up the formula of modern horror movies, and audiences and critics alike ate it up.
Before "Get Out" was released, Peele made it known in interviews about how classic horror films "The Stepford Wives" and "Rosemary's Baby" served as inspirations for the film. It was apparent from the get-go that this man had a passion for this genre of films that were having an impact on his growing career.
Peele's career was truly growing, and with that came many offers from multiple successful film studios wanting him to work on new iterations of established franchises. But Peele already had his mind set on his own worlds and franchises he wanted to create from scratch. As iconic horror directors Alfred Hitchcock ("Psycho", "Rear Window") and Wes Craven ("A Nightmare on Elm Street", "Scream") had done decades before, Peele wants to create his own horror mythology.
Jordan's horror scripts were already in storage for a rainy day.
The first horror script to come to fruition following "Get Out" is "US", a psychological thriller revolving around a couple, played by "Black Panther's" Lupita Nyong'o and Winston Duke, taking their kids for a nice weekend retreat out to their beach house and coming face to face with a family of murderous doppelgangers.
The teaser trailer for Peele's "US" was revealed on Christmas Day and, like "Get Out", it looks to be another original concept that has never been done before. Rather than a lunatic escapee form a mental institution, Peele looks to be expressing through the family of doppelgangers that the scariest thing out there is truly ourselves.
It is still too early to tell if Peele will be able to capture the same kind of lightning in a bottle twice, but if the trailer and stellar cast is any indication, Peele looks to have another hit on his hands.
Almost immediately after "Get Out" was released, Jordan Peele made it known that he had a whole series of horror films on the docket following his directorial debut. "Get Out" and "US" has made it known that this man is not just putting films out for a quick cash grab but instead wants to establish himself as a horror filmmaker.
Peele's brand of original storytelling imbued with comedy is something that the genre definitely needs to become respected again. You can do dull "Paranormal Activity" and "Purge" films only so many times before it gets stale. Additionally, Peele has signed on as the producer to projects that would revitalize iconic franchises, "The Twilight Zone" for CBS and a "Candyman" reboot/sequel for the big screen.
Peele's influence on the horror world will only become stronger as he gets more projects off the ground. Jordan's "Key and Peele" days may be over, but his horror career is just getting started.
