Film: Get out

Chris is nervous. He’s gearing up for his first visit to the affluent, white parents of his girlfriend Rose. They don’t know that he is black.

But his reception could not be warmer. Progressive white America at its very best. “I would have voted for Obama a third time if I could,” Rose’s father jokes. But Chris still doesn’t feel comfortable. Why do these people have black staff? Why do they behave so strangely? America absolutely loves this satirical horror film. The press didn’t hold back on the superlatives, and audiences flocked to see this film that cost a mere 4.5 million dollars.

Get Out is not phenomenally good, but you certainly wouldn’t begrudge its makers their tremendous success. For once, superior entertainment has actually been linked to social relevance. The jokes, the satire, the tension, and ultimately, the horror are paired with the uncovering of the insensitivity, the hypocrisy, and the latent racism of the white bourgeoisie, and raising awareness about how being black forces people to be constantly on their guard.

Does Get Out exorcise fear and discomfort by striking at the heart of the matter? Check it out.

> Get Out. US, dir.: Jordan Peele, act.: Daniel Kaluuya, Catherine Keener, Allison Williams