Previous Next

Get Out became a cultural milestone almost immediately upon its release. Directed and written by Jordan Peele, Get Out explores both overt racism and the more subtle, yet equally insidious, forms of racism that continue to pervade American society. The movie earned widespread acclaim for its originality and its sharp commentary on race and performative allyship. Peele—who was previously primarily known for his work as a comedian in the duo “Key and Peele”—transitioned into filmmaking with this project. Peele has stated in interviews that he was inspired by both classic psychological thrillers and the racial dynamics of films like The Stepford Wives (1975) and Rosemary’s Baby (1968). His directorial debut quickly established him as a leading voice in modern horror.  

The movie’s premise draws from deep-rooted historical and modern-day racial issues. It depicts an elite white society that exploits Black bodies under the guise of admiration. It’s a microcosm of the real world, where the media and society objectify and vilify Black people while simultaneously profiting from Black excellence and Black perspectives. Peele wrote the script during Barack Obama’s presidency but released it during Donald Trump’s administration; it seemed alarmingly in-sync with the ongoing national discussions about systemic racism that Trump’s platform and policies provoked. The movie resonated with America’s politically polarized audience, particularly for its depiction of microaggressions and the way it lampoons the “progressive” allyship of wealthy white suburbanites. It was a box office juggernaut, grossing over $255 million worldwide against a $4.5 million budget. 

Because its appeal was so wide and its approach so innovative, the movie inevitably also sparked debates about its social themes and genre classification. Some viewers questioned whether Get Out really fit within traditional horror conventions, while others praised its ability to unsettle the audience through psychological terror rather than relying on gore or on overtly supernatural elements. Get Out also faced criticism for its social commentary; some viewers claimed that the movie’s handling of racial themes was too heavy-handed, and others debated whether its ending was disappointingly optimistic and unrealistic. Peele originally wrote a darker conclusion in which Chris is arrested by the police officer who shows up at the end. In that version, despite being the victim in the situation, Chris was profiled as the aggressor, reinforcing the inescapability of systemic racism for young Black men. However, Peele decided to go with a less painful ending in the final theatrical version—one where Chris escapes with Rod’s help—to offer a more satisfying and hopeful resolution. 

At the 2018 Academy Awards, Get Out was nominated in four categories and won Best Original Screenplay; Peele was the first Black writer to receive the award. The movie’s success notably ignited some heated online and print discussions about the lack of diversity in Hollywood’s horror and thriller genres. Many critics see it as being a pathfinding effort that forced studios to embrace more socially conscious and less painfully stereotypical storylines and casting choices. 

Previous section Plot Summary Next section Key Facts

Take a Study Break