Get Out (2017)
Directed by Jordan Peele, Get Out is a groundbreaking horror thriller that tackles racism in America through a gripping and disturbing narrative. Released in 2017, the film follows Chris Washington, a young black man, as he visits the family estate of his white girlfriend, Rose Armitage. What begins as an awkward but seemingly innocuous visit quickly turns into a terrifying experience, as Chris uncovers the sinister intentions of Rose's family and their wealthy friends.
The film is notable for its blend of social commentary and traditional horror elements, offering a pointed critique of systemic racism, particularly the subtle and insidious forms of racism that persist in liberal, "progressive" spaces. Peele's directorial debut received widespread critical acclaim, earning him an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and solidifying Get Out as one of the most important films of its time.
Chris, a black photographer, is invited by his girlfriend Rose to visit her family for the weekend. Despite his initial discomfort at being the only Black person in a predominantly white environment, Rose assures him that her parents, Dean and Missy Armitage, are liberal and accepting. From the moment they arrive, however, Chris begins to notice disturbing behavior, particularly from the Black servants, who act strangely detached and robotic.
As the visit progresses, Chris is hypnotized by Rose's mother, Missy, which places him in a terrifying mental state known as the "Sunken Place." Slowly, Chris realizes that the Armitage family is involved in a horrific scheme to transplant the brains of wealthy white people into the bodies of black people, allowing them to live in a new, "superior" body while the original person's consciousness is trapped in the Sunken Place.
Chris eventually fights back against the Armitage family, uncovering the full extent of their racial exploitation before managing to escape. The film's climactic scene, in which Chris is rescued by his friend Rod, offers a final commentary on the racial dynamics that have driven the horror throughout the narrative.
One of the most prominent themes in Get Out is its critique of racism, particularly the more subtle, insidious forms that exist in supposedly progressive spaces. The Armitage family, who proudly proclaim their liberal values, are revealed to be deeply complicit in a system of racial exploitation. Dean Armitage's line, "I would have voted for Obama for a third term," epitomizes this kind of performative allyship, where white people claim to be "woke" while continuing to benefit from and maintain racist structures.
The film explores how racism can exist not only in overtly hateful or violent forms, but also in the objectification and commodification of black bodies. The Armitage family and their friends fetishize Black people, viewing them as physically superior while erasing their identity and agency through the brain transplants. This reflects real-world discussions about how society often reduces Black people to their bodies, whether through the lens of athleticism, entertainment, or exoticism, while ignoring the individual humanity behind these perceptions.
The concept of the ›sunken place‹ serves as a metaphor for the systemic oppression that silences Black voices, trapping them in positions of powerlessness. When Chris is hypnotized and sent to the Sunken Place, he is fully aware of what is happening, but is unable to act or control his body. This terrifying state of helplessness reflects how marginalized groups can feel trapped by societal structures, watching injustice unfold without being able to intervene.
The Sunken Place represents the deep psychological and emotional toll of racism, as well as the broader mechanisms of control that work to maintain the status quo. It also serves as a critique of the ways in which black people are often marginalized and silenced in predominantly white spaces, unable to fully express themselves or be heard.
The Armitage family's sinister plot to transplant the consciousness of wealthy whites into Black bodies speaks to a long history of exploitation and dehumanization of Black people. From slavery to contemporary systemic injustices, Black bodies have often been commodified and used for the benefit of white people. The film literalizes this exploitation by turning Black bodies into vessels for white consciousness, mirroring the ways in which Black labor, culture, and physicality have been appropriated for the benefit of whites throughout history.
This theme also ties into the broader commentary on how society often views Black people as valuable for their physical attributes-athletic ability, strength, beauty-while disregarding their intellectual, emotional, and personal worth. The horror of Get Out lies not only in the physical violence that Chris faces, but also in the psychological violence of having his identity stripped away.
Throughout Get Out, Chris encounters a series of microaggressions, subtle or indirect expressions of racism that contribute to the film's overall sense of discomfort. These include comments about his physical appearance, casual remarks about race, and invasive questions about his background. While none of these interactions are explicitly violent, they reflect the everyday racism that black people often experience in predominantly white spaces.
These microaggressions build over the course of the film, contributing to the mounting tension and ultimately revealing the darker, more violent undercurrents of the Armitage family's true intentions. By highlighting these moments, Peele shows how racism can manifest itself in ways that aren't immediately obvious, but are still deeply harmful and dehumanizing.
Chris, portrayed by Daniel Kaluuya, is the protagonist of the film, and his journey is central to the narrative. As a black man in a white-dominated environment, Chris is initially polite and accommodating, but he quickly becomes aware of the dangers he faces. His intelligence, resourcefulness, and emotional depth make him a sympathetic character, and his fight for survival is both physical and psychological. Kaluuya's performance captures the range of emotions Chris experiences, from subtle discomfort to outright terror.
Rose, played by Allison Williams, is a complex character who initially appears to be loving and supportive of Chris. As the film progresses, however, it becomes clear that she is fully complicit in her family's horrific conspiracy. Rose represents the danger of performative allyship, as she manipulates Chris's trust while hiding her true intentions. Her eventual betrayal is one of the film's most chilling moments.
Dean, played by Bradley Whitford, and Missy, played by Catherine Keener, are Rose's parents and the masterminds behind the brain transplant surgery. Their seemingly progressive attitudes mask their deep-seated racism, and they serve as a critique of how white liberalism can often mask more sinister motivations. Missy's use of hypnosis to control Chris is a metaphor for the psychological control that white supremacy exerts over black people.
Rod, portrayed by Lil Rel Howery, provides comic relief but also plays a crucial role in the film's climax. As Chris's friend and a TSA agent, Rod is the only character who recognizes the danger Chris is in from the beginning. His skepticism and loyalty make him a key figure in Chris's escape, and his humor helps ease the film's intense tension.
Jordan Peele uses a number of cinematic techniques to heighten the tension and unease in Get Out. The use of close-ups, particularly during the hypnosis scenes, creates a sense of claustrophobia and confinement. Peele also makes effective use of lighting and color to signal shifts in tone, with the bright, sunny setting of the Armitage estate contrasting sharply with the dark and menacing undercurrent of the narrative.
The sound design and score, composed by Michael Abels, further enhance the film's unsettling atmosphere. The use of eerie, dissonant music, particularly during the Sunken Place sequences, heightens the sense of dread and disorientation experienced by Chris.
Get Out is widely regarded as a modern masterpiece, praised for its innovative blend of horror and social commentary. The film has sparked widespread discussions about race, privilege, and the ways in which racism persists in modern society. Jordan Peele's directorial debut has had a lasting impact on both the horror genre and the conversation about race in popular culture, inspiring a new wave of socially conscious horror films.
Get Out is a brilliantly crafted horror film that uses the genre to explore deep, complex issues surrounding race and identity. Jordan Peele's skillful direction, combined with strong performances and a tightly woven script, creates a film that is both thought-provoking and terrifying. By exposing the hidden horrors of racism in a way that is both accessible and impactful, Get Out has secured its place as one of the most important films of the 21st century.
