Hey gang, Valkor here. I’ve never been much of a fan of the “Key
and Peele” show on Comedy Central during its run, but just because
I’m not a fan doesn't mean I don’t recognize the skills. Well,
one-half of that troupe is about to show you that his skills go
beyond comedy with his latest thriller “Get Out”. And this is
some “Twilight Zone” shit we’re about to delve into! But, damn
is it good! Spoilers ahead!
“Get Out” focuses on couple Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) and Rose (Allison Williams), as the two are about to head out and meet Rose’s family for the first time. The thing is, Chris is black and Rose is white, so Chris appears uneasy about the meeting. However, it’s the love for his woman that keeps him moving forward. The first thing that stands out to Chris is that there aren’t many black people around and those that he happens to see appear to work for Rose’s family. And during a gathering where Chris meets many of Rose's family friends, not only does he stand out, but there’s only one other black person at the event. And as Chris sneaks a picture through his cellphone, the flash causes this man's nose to bleed and he has something of an awakening. And it is at that moment that he gives Chris a warning – Get out, right before he’s taken away.
Now I’m gonna reach into spoiler territory here; prior to the gathering, Chris has a late night meeting with Rose’s mom Missy (Catherine Keener), who hypnotizes Chris, with him thinking it was to help him quit smoking. But it goes beyond simple hypnosis as it’s used to put Chris under when the time is right. It turns out the family is involved in something of a cult where they kidnap black men (and women) and do something of a mind swap; the hypnosis is used to capture the host’s consciousness, while the brain is swapped with another, giving that person a new life. Why black people? It doesn’t necessarily have to be black people, but for this instance, they’re being used for a host of reasons (popularity, strength, beauty, etc). And now Chris must find a way to escape before his mind and body are taken as part of the process.
Now, I skipped over a lot of detail, so just because I described the process, doesn’t mean there isn’t much left to the film because there’s still quite a bit to see. Also, one of my favorite cameos in “Get Out” is from Stephen Root (Unthinkable), whom I enjoyed very much so in the TV series “NewsRadio”. And while his role in “Get Out” is brief, the dude still awesome.
The Good:
When I first saw the trailer for “Get Out”, I was instantly sold and couldn’t wait to see it upon release. And now that I have, the film lives up to any and all hype built around it. It’s an intense thriller that grabs you from the jump and doesn’t let go until its climatic end. Let’s start with the story - it’s very straightforward and it’s the perfect mesh of social commentary and philosophical drama. Tension is built right from the start and it gradually increases as the movie progresses. Which is good because you want to be kept on your toes, and in the case of “Get Out”, there’s never a dull moment. The story also has that weird, unsettling “Twilight Zone” kind of vibe to it, especially when the whole “mind swap” bit kicks in. It’s sick and twisted, but it works with the narrative. The story also doesn’t focus too much on the characters backgrounds; rather we’re given just enough from the main character, and we learn about the rest of the family through conversation that has a natural flow to it. The horror bits are stunning, with not a lot of gore; however, it’s the character’s action and reaction that sells it. As far as the acting is concerned, Daniel Kaluuya is the horror hero we need for this generation; it’s rare to see a black man in the lead role in a horror film, and even rarer still that he survives to see the end. Regardless, I was impressed with his talents as well as the remaining cast, who all put on stellar performances. And finally, a nod goes out to writer/director Jordan Peele; if I wasn’t a fan before, I am now. And I have to say that you’ve created something unique and special with “Get Out” and I look forward to seeing what else you have down the pike.
The Bad:
N/A
The Ugly:
N/A
“Get Out” is still making the theatrical rounds. And if you haven’t seen the film yet, then “Get Out” (pun intended) and see it soon because it’s an experience you won’t want to miss… until the home version is released. But by then you’ll want to experience it for a second or third time. So, out of TOV 5 stars, I’m giving “Get Out” a perfect 5.
