As summer draws to a close and a gloomy forecast awaits, we’ve made an executive decision on the perfect movie for your rainy Wednesday night in.
Next on the watchlist is Jordan Peele’s 2017 film Get Out a darkly comic thrillride which follows one man’s nightmarish trip to his future in-laws’ country house. After enduring tea-time hypnosis, metaphorical roadkill and a bucket load of awkward dinner conversation, Chris suspects that something is awry. Without giving too much away, we’ve compiled a list of five reasons to hit play on Get Out tonight:
Jordan Peele
His debut feature film, Get Out is a testament to the expansive and breakout talent of director/comedian/actor Jordan Peele. Formerly known as one half of the sketch comedy duo Key & Peele (who gave us endless quotable skits), Peele has since become a star in his own right; earning critical acclaim and Oscar nominations for his directorial efforts. To master the fields of comedy, horror, screenwriting and filmmaking takes considerable skill, and nowhere is this mastery more evident than in Get Out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRpsRKuyi3Y
The Social Scares
Adding to its list of genres, Get Out is mainly a social thriller, and while there are many popcorn-friendly jump scares, the more insidious horrors come from the movie’s social commentary on race. The movie that launched a million fan reddit theories (see below), there’s tonnes of metaphors to be deciphered, and the result is an examination of timely social issues like casual racism, cultural appropriation and slavery. That Peele snuck some thought-provoking themes into an already-entertaining movie is no small feat; and it’s all the more bingeworthy as a result.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBvcngHRTFg&t=526s
Rod Williams
Cast as the comic sidekick, Chris’ best pal and airport security guard Rod Williams is the unsung star of Get Out. Played by funnyman Lil Rel Howery, Rod offers some much needed comic relief in what is otherwise mostly-horrific film; poking fun at the twisted humour of Chris’ predicament with razor wit. Throughout the movie, audiences follow Rod as he comically unpuzzles his friends’ weekend vacation (two steps behind the audience), and ultimately rejoice when it is him who saves the day. Rod’s hilarity is a credit to the Oscar-winning screenplay, which expertly balances satire, horror and black comedy for a genre-bending movie experience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kExKwBLdFzc&t=6s
The (Un)Expected Twist
A master of the fast-paced thrills, Jordan Peele keeps audiences on their toes for a brisk 1.5 hours; gradually drip-feeding hints as to what exactly is up with Chris’ in-laws and their guests. The effect of this easter-egg hunt culminates in the final act, where Peele gloriously uncovers the thieving intentions of Chris’ hosts and, for a double twist of the knife, pulls off an unexpected and cereal-themed villain reveal. Unfurling mysteries like this are endlessly re-watchable, and Get Out requires multiple viewings to pick up on important puzzle pieces along the way.
The Housekeepers
Even though Daniel Kaluuya boasts an Oscar-nominated performance in his breakout role, Get Out‘s supporting cast of housekeepers are equally unturnoffable. Framed initially as serviceable maids and groundsmen, the increasingly-eerie behaviour of Georgina and Walter is what gives the movie its main creep factor. From overdrawn giggles to that now-infamous midnight sprint in the backyard; these housekeepers are anything but helpful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1OhC9h3flY
Check back in next week, when we’ll guide your movie-going experience with another executive decision. Hit us up at [email protected] with any suggestions.
