Get Out (2017) is one of the most anticipated cult horror films of the year, blending psychological horror, mystery, thriller, dark satire, and social‑commentary elements. Directed by Jordan Peele, and starring Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Lil Rel Howery, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford, and others, this English‑language film was released on February 24, 2017.
Movie Overview
Get Out follows Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya), a young African‑American photographer who visits his white girlfriend Rose’s (Allison Williams) family estate for a weekend getaway. Initially unsettled by the family’s overly polite demeanor, Chris soon realizes that beneath the surface lies something far more sinister. As the weekend unfolds, he uncovers a twisted secret that puts him in mortal danger and forces him into a desperate fight for survival. The film’s clever mix of horror thrills and searing social critique earned widespread acclaim and shifted the landscape of modern horror. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Attribute Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Get Out |
| Genre | Psychological Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Dark Satire (Social Thriller) |
| Language | English |
| Release Date | February 24, 2017 (U.S.) |
| Director | Jordan Peele |
| Writer | Jordan Peele |
In‑Depth Analysis
Plot & Themes
At first glance, Get Out masquerades as a suspenseful thriller, but at its core it’s a social commentary on race, privilege, and identity. Jordan Peele coined the term “social thriller” to encapsulate how the film’s ultimate menace isn’t a creature—or supernatural force—but societal racism itself :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}. The film critiques “post‑racial” liberal attitudes by showing how subtle microaggressions and commodification of Black bodies can be just as insidious as overt racism :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
Cast & Crew
Directed and written by Jordan Peele, Get Out marked his debut as a feature filmmaker. The cast is led by Daniel Kaluuya (Chris), Allison Williams (Rose), Lil Rel Howery (Rod), Catherine Keener (Missy Armitage), Bradley Whitford (Dean Armitage), Caleb Landry Jones (Jeremy Armitage), Stephen Root (Jim Hudson), LaKeith Stanfield (Logan King), Betty Gabriel (Georgina), and others :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}. Behind the scenes, Michael Abels composed the music, Toby Oliver handled cinematography, and Gregory Plotkin was responsible for editing :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
Reception & Box Office
Critically lauded, Get Out earned a 98% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}, and critics praised its blend of satire, suspense, and resonance :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}. The American Film Institute, National Board of Review, and Time included it among the top ten films of 2017 :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}. The film also earned Jordan Peele an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, plus nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Daniel Kaluuya :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}. It was named Best Film of 2017 by the African‑American Film Critics Association :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
Commercially, Get Out was a huge success. Made on a modest budget of ~$4.5 million, it grossed over $255 million worldwide, making it one of the most profitable films of 2017 and a landmark for debut directors :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}. It also became Blumhouse’s fastest film to earn $100 million domestically :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
Directorial Vision & Social Impact
Peele’s background in comedy (Key & Peele) informed his approach—he intended Get Out as both a horror and a biting satire. Though submitted for consideration at the Golden Globes as a comedy, Peele resisted genre labels, emphasizing that it defies easy classification and labels it as a documentary of lived experiences :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}. The film redefined what horror could achieve—drawing attention to racial tensions, microaggressions, and cultural appropriation in a visceral, genre‑conscious narrative :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
“Get Out is a disturbing satirical horror film that plays out like a nightmarish variation on ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.’” — Reddit commentary :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
“Even though ‘Get Out’ doesn’t break any new ground in the genre, it is wildly original and extremely well made. For his work… Jordan Peele won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay…” — Reddit commentary :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
Legacy & Cultural Influence
Get Out not only catapulted Jordan Peele into mainstream filmmaking but also sparked a wave of socially conscious horror. It remains recognized as one of the standout horror films of the 2010s :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}. Its status endures as a culturally important film that redefined genre boundaries and foregrounded systemic racism in cinematic horror. Peele’s success enabled the foundation of his production company, Monkeypaw Productions, and a continuing partnership with Universal Pictures :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
Conclusion
In summary, Get Out (2017) is not just a gripping psychological horror film—it is an essential work of social commentary. Jordan Peele’s debut is an intelligent, unsettling, and deeply affecting exploration of racism masked as horror. Combining sharp satire with real dread, stellar performances, and strong box office returns, the film has become a modern classic and a cultural touchstone within the horror genre.
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