Review: Get Out

(imdb.com)

When it was announced that Jordan Peele would be releasing a horror film, there was definitely reason to pause. For one, the MadTV alumni's most recent projects included little to no indication that horror was in his future. From Key & Peele to Keanu, Peele's delving into the genre seemed to come from left field. And yet, Get Out makes a strong, early case for 2017's best horror film. Where the failures of movies like The Bye Bye Man and Rings should have left viewers concretely dismayed, Get Out does more than its share. Not only could Peele's new movie lead a new generation of horror, it seems that the film could be a move towards relevancy in the industry. Completely topical, equally funny as it is scary and well-acted, the comedian's endeavor shouldn't go unnoticed by anyone, whether fan of horror or not.

Get Out tells the story of Chris, played by Daniel Kaluuya (Black Mirror), and his girlfriend, Rose, played by Allison Williams (Girls), who go to visit her family's isolated home in the country. Once there, Chris soon realizes that something is wrong, not only with the too accepting family, but also with the other people of color around him. Far above average, the plot of Get Out is the rare movie that compellingly combines relevant social tensions with horror and comedy. Not only is Get Out a fantastic modern take on horror, Peele's comedic past is also prevalent throughout. Get Out should be required viewing.

The acting alone in this movie is worthwhile. From start to finish every character that viewers encounter is played perfectly. From William's Rose and Kaluuya's Chris to Bradley Whitford (Cabin in the Woods) as Rose's father, Dean, the Blumhouse produced film is stacked with A+ performances. Then, there's Catherine Keener (Into the Wild) as Rose's psychiatrist mother. By far one of the best performances of the year so far, Keener's character is quietly evil and consistently in control, from the moments she asks to hypnotize Chris to the movie's finish, she is truly icing on top of the cake. The sprinkles on the cake come from Betty Gabriel (The Purge: Election Year) who's turn as the housekeeper, Georgina are unmatched.

Get Out also comes with its fair share of over-the-top jump scares and suspenseful moments. Moments like when the couple hit a deer or when driving or pretty much any moment the equally prim and terrifying housekeeper, Georgina appears, provide some thrills that are meant to startle then laugh. These are scares done intentionally and well, sometimes for the comedy, sometimes for the jolt. The comedy, especially from the minor characters is also worth noting.

What makes Get Out great, when it could have just been good, is its use of cultural themes.

Whether it's the smaller moments like an approaching cop car later in the movie (can't delve too deeply without giving a lot away) or some more explicit themes like the fact that Dean repeatedly says he would have voted for Obama a third time, it’s clear that Jordan Peele and Get Out want to show that racism isn't dead and even the smallest gestures by members of the majority, may not be intentionally racist, but are certainly still relevant.

All of the hoot-and-hollering for Get Out is well-deserved. Each and every moment of this stellar movie simultaneously works on a number of levels. It's funny, subtle, subversive and scary - each in more than one way. Whether it's the movie's ability to capture the perspective of a marginalized identity to be consumed by a wide audience in an understandable way, or the ability for the film to provide a haunting plot that has comedy tossed in, everything about Get Out is well thought out and terrific. It will more than likely be one of the best horror movies, and one of the best movies of 2017. 9 out of 10.