Horror and satire movies set in suburbia are nothing
new. ‘The Stepford Wives’ and ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ have used
enclosed locales to effective use. The setting is ripe for both genres as
occasionally being in such a community can be a horror unto itself. Add a
dash of social commentary on racism and you have ‘Get Out’. An intriguing
blend of laughs and scares, it pushes the right buttons in crafting a
refreshing take on suburban hell.
A young black man, Chris (Daniel Kalyuuya), goes to meet the
parents of his white girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams). Initially enjoying the
meeting and surrounds of the estate in which they live, Chris slowly feels
something is amiss. Learning that several black residents have gone missing,
Chris’s sense of foreboding increases. It reaches fever pitch when a
black man from the estate tells him to get out. Leaving quickly becomes a
hassle with his departure halted by increasingly sinister events.
Written and directed by Jordan Peele, ‘Get Out’ works on
many levels. Both those who want thrills and others wanting weight behind
them will get them. Peele’s creativity in mixing these elements is
evident as he crafts something fresh out of standard horror architypes.
The twists keep coming until the end with Chris navigating his way through a
cavalcade of terror. Kalyuuya gives a solid performance full of presence
and growing bemusement at what he encounters. His co-stars perfectly
pitch their roles to match the film’s tone.
Although scares are effectively handled, working better is
the general social observations. You feel a genuine sense of Chris’ daily
life from the assumptions residents make of him based on skin colour to
non-verbal actions. Making ‘Get Out’ very relatable and authentic is
seeing how he deals with the casual racism he encounters - something seen in
everyday life. The music and cinematography perfectly create a foreboding
atmosphere with the script’s light touch ensuring the messages aren’t lost
amongst creepy happenings.
‘Get Out’ is an imaginative humorous thriller with a strong
central motif. There’s nothing more exciting than seeing a new talent
such as Jordan Peele enter the scene. One hopes his next movie is just as
intriguing and captivating as this nifty outing.
Movie Review Rating out of 10: 8
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
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