Get Out Movie Review (Spoiler Free)

A comedy actor’s directorial debut in the horror genre. A slow-cooking conspiracy, unnerving emotions & atmosphere that makes the audience feel the main character’s discomfort. This is how horror should be! 

Genre: Horror / Mystery / Thriller 

Director: Jordan Peele

Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Alison Williams, Bradley Whitford, Catherine Keener, Lil Rel Howery, LaKeith Stanfield, Marcus Henderson, Betty Gabriel, Caleb Landry Jones & Stephen Root.

Run Time: 104 min.

US Release: 24 February 2017

UK Release: 17 March 2017

German Release: 04 May 2017

Jordan Peele, co-star of the sketch comedy show Key & Peele, delivers his directorial debut in the horror genre. Now, I watched some clips of the comedy duo’s show before, and I do believe they have great talent in that field, but I didn’t expect much from this movie, given that Peele had never explored this field before. Well, let me tell you, this might be one of the most unique, disturbing, as well as terrifying premises I have seen in this genre. Peele fully grasps what makes a good horror film, even flipping some clichés on their head, delivering an amazing spectacle that left me feeling most uncomfortable, in the best way possible.

Get Out follows Chris Washington, a young African-American man, who is in an interracial relationship with his white girlfriend Rose. Both are taking the weekend off to drive to Rose’s parents' house, where Chris will meet the Armitages for the very first time. There, the simmering uneasiness about their reception finally reaches a breaking point. It’s Meet the Parents, with a terrifying twist!

Let’s start with the screenplay, also written by Peele himself. This is a masterfully fabricated script that subverts genre expectations and is filled to the brim with subtle provocations, as well as visual metaphors, instead of spoon-feeding the plot to the audience. Peele trusts moviegoers to figure things out for themselves.

It also uses the illusion of “post-racial” in American society, to full effect, exposing the general white consensus of seeing themselves as progressive, praising Black “physicality” yet denying Black culture any individuality, thus exposing a more subtle form of racism. This, in turn, builds a deeper sense of unease, as the audience is placed directly in Chris’s shoes. The “sunken place” is another terrifying metaphor, symbolising the silencing of people (in this case, individuals of colour) and rendering them powerless.

I just had one issue with the narrative: the inclusion of comedic input, through a side arc, concerning Chris’s friend Rod. I understand that Peele wanted to break the tension with those segments, but they were jarring in contrast to the rest of the film’s tone, and distracted too much from the main plot.

The dialogue itself is full of social commentary, tackling modern racism plus the fetishisation of “Blackness”, to the point of turning it into a fashion statement, rather than perceiving the humanity behind it. Peele also knows when to leave something unsaid, letting the scene speak for itself. 

The plot introduces characters in a sharp, witty way, maintaining a fast pace through descriptive details in conversations, which feel refreshing plus original. Daniel Kaluuya is definitely the stand-out; his portrayal of Chris outshines all other performances. Kaluuya navigates the complicated cocktail of emotions his character experiences with ease. From unease, terror, to rage, he conveys all these emotions flawlessly.

Alison Williams is equally amazing. Her part is layered like an onion; once the core of her persona is revealed, a chilling truth comes to light. Bradley Whitford, as well as Catherine Keener, are both funny yet distanced plus cold, striking the perfect balance between welcoming and unnerving. 

The only two actors who felt out of place were Caleb Landry Jones as Jeremy, who hammed it up a little too much at times, and Lil Rel Howery, whose comedic timing didn’t mesh well with the rest of the picture.

The cinematography, by Toby Oliver, uses a lot of wide shots to create a sense of isolation within the characters and their environment, making them feel small and trapped. In contrast, extreme close-ups are often used on Chris’ face, during moments of extreme discomfort or anxiety. This is heightened by dolly zooms, when Chris is transported to the “sunken place”. Peele also employs a lot of visual storytelling, with minimal dialogue, letting the camera build atmosphere throughout silence. Most of the time, the camera itself acts as the lead’s point of view; a clever touch, given that he is a photographer himself.

The music, along with the sound design, underlines the pervasive sense of dread this picture conveys. Michael Abel’s haunting composition complements the stunning cinematography gorgeously.

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Verdict: Jordan Peele’s directorial debut is expertly directed and written, making perfect use of horror tropes while simultaneously turning them on their head. The narrative oozes with socio-racial metaphors, creating an atmosphere of discomfort that forces audiences directly into the director’s POV. The acting is phenomenal across the board, with Daniel Kaluuya delivering brilliant acting chops in the lead role. The cinematography is equally remarkable, using composition and framing to elevate the storytelling. Apart from a minor issue with misplaced comedy, this is one of the most effective horror-thrillers I have witnessed in a very long time. Get Out absolutely deserves a 9.0 out of 10.

Have you seen Get Out yet? If not, run to the cinema now! You won’t regret it, this is one of the best horror-thrillers in a long time! Thank you for reading, & please leave a comment down below.