1147. Get Out

Get Out
2017
Directed by Jordan Peele

I finally did an official inventory of the movies I still have left on this List. I was afraid if I didn't, I would end up with 1230 movies and have no idea what's missing. Which is exactly what happened, but luckily, I figured it out pretty quickly. I can't believe I missed an opportunity to write about this movie for October, and instead tried to convince everyone Elephant was a Halloween movie (did it work?). Oh well, I can now give this movie the respect it deserves.

Chris Washington is nervous to meet the family of his white girlfriend, Rose Armitage. The Armitages have a home in upstate New York. Her father is a neurosurgeon, her mother is a hypnotherapist, and her brother is a douchebag. Chris witnesses some strange behavior from the Armitages' black housekeeping staff. I guess I will end my summary there to avoid spoilers. 

This movie does such a great job of showcasing microaggressions, and usually films about race aren't capable of that subtlety. I love Jordan Peele movies (Us was also fantastic) and I hope he keeps making them. I think people (and certainly the Academy) underestimate the level of social commentary that horror movies can provide. 

I saw this in theaters in the before times (RIP). There is a moment when a police officer shows up. In any other horror movie, the sight of a police car would be a huge relief. However, when the cop pulled up in this film, everybody in the audience groaned. I think this shows how effective Peele was at shattering the illusion of a post-racial America.

There's a serious lack of representation of Black people in horror movies, so much so that it's become a familiar trope that the people of color will die immediately. Thank heavens for Jordan Peele (and his wife). 

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Jordan Peele said, "The Sunken Place means we're marginalized. No matter how hard we scream, the system silences us."

Much of the dialogue was improvised.

Directorial debut of Peale.