Get Out Review

Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford, Catherine Keener

When I saw the trailer for Get Out, I wrote it off as stupid. I didn't understand the blend between comedy and horror. It didn't seem funny and it didn't seem scary. Months later, I've been proven wrong. Get Out is far from stupid; it's actually one of the smartest movies I've seen. The premise is simple: black man goes with white girlfriend to meet her parents, and finds they're not very accepting. It's a premise that is all too familiar for some American families, yet Get Out goes that extra mile to portray a racist family to the extreme. It's so bizarre and horrifying, yet it could be happening in your neighborhood. It's the realism that makes it so eerie. This film has earned a 99% and has only one negative review. That is what persuaded me to reassess my feelings about Get Out and go to the theater. I was surprised by how much thinking I did during the film, and how alert I was for its entirety. I was trying to pick up all the little hints before the inevitable twist. When the twist hit, I actually didn't see it coming, and I thought it was brilliantly executed. On the car ride home, I thought back and noticed all these other clues scattered throughout the movie to tip me off. This is a film by Jordan Peele (Key & Peele) yet I am so shocked that he is this talented of a writer and director. He's really crafted a gem of low-budget horror films.

There are so many horror movies that are too overly complicated. Split immediately comes to mind. That film was anchored by a strong performance by James McAvoy, but got a little too confusing and caught up in a lame ending. Get Out ends mid-scene, in the perfect spot. It doesn't explore how any character "feels" about the ordeal. It doesn't flash-forward a month to see what's changed. It ends when the plot ends, and in doing so, it's the horror/thriller that Split wishes it was. The entire plot is also very simple, yet is rooted in the political theme. It never points the finger at conservatism or Republicans (which is very mature) but instead just points out the obvious underlying race issues in the American South. I knew that the family was twisted, so I meticulously studied the actors for any clues to their behavior. I picked up on a few things, yet when the twist came, I was still unprepared. I spent hours after piecing bits together and I realized all the things I didn't pick up on. This is a brilliantly crafted thriller that demands multiple viewings. It's so smart, and it really makes you use your brain to put the puzzle pieces together.

I resist giving Get Out a perfect score because it has some continuity errors. There are certain things and foreshadowing events that physically do not make sense. I know I'm supposed to let certain things slide and turn my brain off a little. I give it a huge pass for the twist (which also physically does not make sense in today's world) so I need to hold it accountable for the little things. I can't spoil anything because it's really important to go into this movie blind. Still, it's very commendable that a low budget blockbuster has only a few flaws. A lot of time and effort went into this film to make it full of symbolism and virtually flawless. If you're looking for a movie that will creep you out and make you think, Get Out is the movie for you.

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