Slavery started with the trade of African prisoners to the Portuguese. When slaves left Africa they faced horrendous conditions including beatings, strenuous work, and hardships like being separated from family. The effects of this tragedy are still being felt today as racism is a persistent issue. African people today are stereotyped and face discrimination every day.

“Get Out” is Jordan Peele’s 2016 directorial debut and it is an effective allegory on slavery that connects the past and the present. It is a horror movie that follows a black man named Chris who goes to meet his white girlfriend’s parents. Although the parents seem invited their motives are sinister. This movie is a masterpiece. It is an allegory on slavery that balances horror and comedy to create a thought-provoking film.

Jordan Peele’s direction is amazing for his debut. His use of close-ups adds claustrophobia and tension to scenes that otherwise would be standard.  He places the camera behind people’s bodies as they walk to hide things around corners as if we are in the house also. This is accentuated in the scene where Chris is killing a family member to escape the house. He is stomping him out and this is a disturbing act of violence. The camera is placed behind a doorway and with every stomp the camera moves back as if we the viewer are seeing something we shouldn’t. This detail is better than actually showing the violence as it adds to the horror of not knowing for sure what is going on. This film had a tense atmosphere throughout and it did this without relying on cheap jump scares.

Daniel Kaluuyas’s performance as Chris is very well done. His looks of disbelief are very convincing. He also shows range when he has to talk about his mom’s death. The emotion he displays with just his eyes is amazing. Lil Rey Howery also has a standout performance as Rod from TSA. His comedy adds personality to the film and also gives breaks from the tense atmosphere.

In this movie, the parents Chris meet auction him off like a slave in the 1800s. His body is being sold to a blind person who wants to be able to see again. This person states that he doesn’t specifically care what race he is although the other buyers do. The other auctions wanted the benefits of black people that stem from stereotypes such as being cool or athletic ability. Black people are seen as vessels who don’t deserve a life in this film. White people in this film want the benefits of being black by exploiting the racism they face. Black people go missing at an alarming rate yet you will never hear about it as much as it happens. Black people are cast aside in this film until they are needed for someone’s benefit. This film exposes America and its deeply rooted issues yet we already know of the problems here. This point is made in the end when Chris lies next to the bloody body of his girlfriend. We see police lights and in our heads we know he is going to jail because he is black and the woman next to his injured while he isn’t.

However, his best friend exits his TSA security vehicle and rescues him. This brilliant ending shows that America has not changed significantly since slavery. We watch him escape his oppressors and is met with an institution that should protect him but instead we are met with disappointment. America may have come a long way but there are still changes that must be made. 10/10

(I watched this on Vudu.)