Writer/Director: Jordan Peele
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, LaKeith Stanfield and Allison Williams
‘A Captivating Horror Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have created a legacy as strong as LaKeith Stanfield. Since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Stanfield has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s corrupt police officers, detectives solving murders or troubled teenagers, Stanfield has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Stanfield’s greatest strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment. He is one of those rare actors that has always poured his heart and soul into each and every role. Stanfield has never been afraid of taking risks in his career by playing complex characters which aren’t always likeable. An actor with commitment to his craft, Stanfield has been a commemorated icon in entertainment. Through his abilities to create characters that audiences can easily relate to, Stanfield has transformed into an actor audiences value. Through his ability to create strong characters that are compelling, Stanfield has created a bold legacy which is lasting.
I’m a huge fan of Stanfield and adore all the films that he has made in his career. However, “Get Out” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 2017, Jordan Peele’s movie has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with breathtaking production design, compelling storytelling and strong acting, it’s one of the best horror movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by LaKeith Stanfield, who portrays a helpless black man that becomes a victim of racism. Ultimately, what makes “Get Out” a horror classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most horror movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a strong message about dangers of racism which would resonate with everyone. Despite its focus on African people, its themes would resonate with everyone. A captivating horror classic, there are several strong reasons why “Get Out” is a commemorated film which is worth seeing.
“Get Out” tells the story of a black man which faces racism from his white girlfriend’s family causing doubt. Daniel Kaluuya portrays Chris Washington, a black man that becomes stuck in an awkward situation. Chris has always had a strong bond with his girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams) whom he loves dearly. Chris is given a chance to showcase his talents when he is invited to his girlfriend’s house. Chris is excited by a prospect of meeting his girlfriend’s white family. However, Chris’ dreams are destroyed when he discovers his girlfriend’s parents are racist people causing disaster. Through his long time friend Andre King (LaKeith Stanfield), Chris discovers shocking secrets about his girlfriend’s family. Facing the frightening terror of racism, Chris begins to question whether it’s possible to overcome a painful problem. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Chris wonders if he can overcome the barrier of racism that causes him to face disaster.
Jordan Peele is a newcomer towards themes of racism. Before he directed “Get Out”, Peele had never made a movie about racism in his career before. It was the filmmaker’s first ever attempt to capture the barriers faced by black men that experience racism but he succeeded. Using strong cinematography, Peele captures a black man that struggles to overcome racist families which cause tragedy. Peele effectively uses point-of-view shots to capture hardships that African American men in racist houses go through. For instance, the point of view shots elevate the hypnosis scene. During this tense scene, Chris experiences a strange hypnosis organized by his girlfriend’s psychotic mother. One appreciates point of view shots capturing hardships that black men facing racism often go through. Point of view shots are tricky to use in movies. As Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” suggested, point of view shots elevate classic horror movies about scary sharks. However, it works immensely in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Peele captures hardships that black men trapped in racist households are always facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Get Out” which merits appreciation is the production design. From a technical perspective, the movie is very well made. Evoking Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rear Window”, Peele effectively uses the production design of a house to capture racist men that face tension. For instance, the set design of the house elevates the seizure scene. During this unforgettable scene, Chris grows fearful when he witnesses a black man experiencing a seizure at the house guest party. One admires the set design of the house capturing lives of black men that decline. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Michael Abels’ music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing a heavy burden which black men experiencing racism bear. Through stirring production design, Peele captures the lives of racist men which face a decline.
Storytelling is one of the key reasons why “Get Out” is a horror film that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and uses foreshadowing to capture the lives of racist men that endure tensions that are terrifying. Peele’s strength as a screenwriter is his abilities to capture tension black men are facing through foreshadowing. For instance, foreshadowing elevates the deer accident scene. During this frightening scene, Chris and his girlfriend face tension when they accidentally bump into a deer on the road in a car. One acknowledges clever foreshadowing capturing tension black men in racist houses are facing. Foreshadowing is a tricky narrative device to use in movies. As Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” proved, foreshadowing elevates classic horror movies about isolation. Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption” did prove clearly, foreshadowing elevates movies about prison. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a fantastic screenplay, Peele captures black men in racist households facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
LaKeith Stanfield delivers one of his greatest career performances as Andre. Stanfield first earned appreciation for playing traumatized teens in dramas. With “Get Out”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a black man that becomes a victim of racism that causes tragedy but he succeeded. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. With extraordinary expressions, he captures the angst, grief and trauma of a black man that becomes victim of racist tragedy. Stanfield has always had flair for playing black men under pressure, and “Get Out” showcased his strengths as an actor. It’s a powerful performance by one of the most celebrated actors which is working today.
Daniel Kaluuya is brilliant as a black man that faces a broken marriage that causes trauma. Kaluuya has often had an aptitude for playing black men under intense pressure, and “Get Out” demonstrated his strengths as an actor. As Chris, Kaluuya successfully used his body language to craft a hero which is compelling. Whether he is growing fearful of his girlfriend’s parents that are frightening or seeking to gain an understanding of housekeepers, Kaluuya uses hush body language to create a strong character that’s compelling. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most celebrated actors which is currently working in the film industry today.
Finally, “Get Out” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing racist men which face doubt. Unlike most horror movies, it discusses relatable themes everyone would relate to. It tackles strong themes including identity, race and social class which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be African American to appreciate it. Therefore, “Get Out” is one of those rare commemorated horror films that everyone will definitely without a doubt adore.
Fans of LaKeith Stanfield will definitely enjoy “Get Out” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A captivating horror classic, it honours an actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking horror film about men facing frightening racism seeking to get out of racist households of white girlfriends which are terrifying, its a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for his abilities to portray compelling characters in engaging movies which are definitely without a single doubt absolutely worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 