K.T Simpson
Jordan Peele’s directorial debut “Get Out” is a thriller/horror/comedy, and delivers in all of these categories. At the beginning, “Get Out” masquerades as a familiar rom-com format, with a white girl taking her African American boyfriend of 4 months home to the meet the parents for the first time. Although the boyfriend Chris (played by Daniel Kaluuya) expresses concern, his girlfriend Rose (Alison Williams) insists all will be okay, as her father “would’ve voted for Obama for a third term if he could have”.
As it happens, the parents (Catherine Keener and a much older looking Bradley Whitford) are more than welcoming, but as with every thriller, things aren’t always as they seem. Slowly, the racist undertones of the household come to light, through odd conversations with visitors and the all black staff working for the family. Chris attempts to bond with the staff, only to be met with hollow expressions and wooden conversation but with notable desperation in their eyes. The hypnotist mother Missy is pushing her trade on Chris just a little too much, with the father Dean insisting that his smoking addiction was cured after just one session. After attending a garden party at the house and trying unsuccessfully to connect with “another brother”, Chris is convinced something just isn’t right.
Chris’ mate Rod (LilRel Howery) provides the comic relief in “Get Out” in the form of the best friend who takes it upon himself to get to the bottom of the odd happenings at the house. Kaluuya is a standout as Chris, and he effectively allows the audience to experience all of his emotions with him, and the always beautiful Alison Williams excels as his girlfriend Rose. The supporting cast all play a key part in “Get Out”, and there’s no character or even scene that I would consider a waste of space or time.
Most of all, Jordan Peele has delivered an original script and concept, in the midst of reboots and superhero offerings flooding the market, with a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last second, and a mystery that has the audience guessing.
“Get Out” is one of those films that’s best to go in not knowing too much, so you can unravel the mysteries and the same time as the characters. It’s thought provoking, brings the scares and also delivers humour in a very clever way: without cheapening the overall context of the movie’s themes.
