Get Out masterfully blends elements of both horror and thriller, but ultimately leans more towards the genre of social horror. Its exploration of racial tension and systemic oppression utilizes thriller pacing and suspense, culminating in horrific situations that expose the disturbing reality of underlying prejudice, solidifying its place as a significant work in modern horror.
Unpacking the Genre: More Than Just Scares
Genre classifications can often feel limiting, especially when a film like Get Out defies easy categorization. While it contains elements of suspense and tension characteristic of thrillers, the film’s core relies on exploring deep-seated fears and anxieties rooted in the social landscape, thereby positioning itself firmly within the horror genre. Understanding the nuances of each genre is crucial to appreciating Get Out‘s masterful construction.
Defining the Terms: Horror vs. Thriller
At its most basic, horror aims to evoke fear, disgust, and unease in the viewer. It often involves supernatural elements, graphic violence, and the exploration of primal anxieties like death, the unknown, and the monstrous. Thrillers, on the other hand, primarily focus on building suspense and tension, often involving crime, espionage, or psychological manipulation. The goal is to keep the audience on the edge of their seat, anticipating a dangerous outcome. Thrillers rely on plot twists, red herrings, and psychological games to create a sense of unease.
Get Out: A Hybrid Approach
Get Out strategically employs both horror and thriller tropes. The film expertly builds suspense as Chris Washington, played by Daniel Kaluuya, uncovers the sinister secrets of the Armitage family. This slow burn, the unsettling atmosphere, and the feeling that something is deeply wrong all contribute to the thriller aspect. However, the film transcends simple suspense when it reveals the truly horrifying nature of the Armitage family’s plans – the transplantation of elderly white individuals’ brains into younger Black bodies. This element of body horror, combined with the film’s stark commentary on racial exploitation, firmly plants it in the realm of horror.
The Social Commentary: Horror’s Defining Feature
The element that most strongly distinguishes Get Out as a horror film is its potent social commentary. It doesn’t just rely on jump scares or supernatural beings. Instead, it taps into the real-world horror of systemic racism and the insidious nature of microaggressions.
Social Horror: A Modern Subgenre
Social horror is a subgenre of horror that uses fear and dread to explore social issues and critique societal norms. Films like The Babadook, which addresses maternal mental health, and Us, which tackles class disparity, fall under this umbrella. Get Out is considered a landmark film in the social horror genre, as it sparked a national conversation about race in America. The film’s scares stem not from monsters under the bed, but from the unsettling reality of racial prejudice and the dehumanization of Black individuals.
The Horror of Microaggressions
The film’s brilliance lies in its ability to portray seemingly innocuous microaggressions as terrifying. The Armitage family’s seemingly well-intentioned, but ultimately patronizing, comments and behaviors create a sense of unease that escalates throughout the film. These subtle acts of racism are presented as a form of psychological torture, making them just as disturbing as any physical violence. This is the true horror of Get Out: the realization that prejudice can be masked by politeness and that even well-meaning individuals can perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
Thematic Resonance: Why Get Out Resonates
Beyond genre labels, Get Out‘s enduring popularity stems from its ability to connect with audiences on a deeper level. It speaks to anxieties about identity, belonging, and the ongoing struggle for racial equality.
Fear of the Other
Get Out plays on the age-old horror trope of the “fear of the other.” However, it flips the script by positioning the Black protagonist as the one being othered and exploited by a seemingly welcoming white community. This reversal forces viewers to confront their own biases and consider the perspectives of those who are marginalized.
The Loss of Agency
Another powerful theme in Get Out is the loss of agency. Chris is slowly stripped of his autonomy as he becomes increasingly trapped in the Armitage family’s sinister plot. This loss of control is a common theme in horror films, but in Get Out, it takes on a particularly poignant meaning, reflecting the historical and ongoing denial of agency faced by Black individuals in America.
FAQs: Deepening the Discussion
Here are some frequently asked questions that delve deeper into the themes and genre of Get Out:
FAQ 1: What are some key visual cues that classify Get Out as horror?
The film utilizes several visual cues common in horror, including low-key lighting, unsettling close-ups, and strategic camera angles that heighten tension. The use of red and white as recurring colors, often associated with blood and purity respectively, also contributes to the film’s unsettling visual language. The “Sunken Place,” with its disorienting visuals and feeling of helplessness, is a prime example of horror-infused imagery.
FAQ 2: How does Get Out subvert traditional horror tropes?
Get Out subverts traditional horror tropes by making the perceived “monsters” ordinary, upper-class white people. It shifts the focus from external threats to the internal horror of racism and exploitation, making the film’s scares far more insidious and thought-provoking. The lack of jump scares, particularly in the first half of the film, further subverts expectations.
FAQ 3: Is the ending of Get Out considered a “happy ending” within the context of horror?
The ending, while satisfying, is debatable. Chris escapes, and the villains are defeated. However, the trauma he endured, and the knowledge that this type of exploitation exists in the world, leaves a lingering sense of unease. This ambiguity prevents it from being a purely “happy ending” and aligns it more closely with the thematic concerns of horror.
FAQ 4: How does the score contribute to the film’s overall genre classification?
The score, composed by Michael Abels, blends orchestral elements with African-American spirituals and unsettling vocalizations. This combination creates a sense of foreboding and dread, further enhancing the film’s horror elements. The use of diegetic sound, such as the rhythmic chanting during the “coagula” process, also contributes to the film’s unsettling atmosphere.
FAQ 5: What other films are considered similar to Get Out in terms of genre and themes?
Films like Us, Candyman (both the original and the remake), The People Under the Stairs, and Tales from the Hood are often cited as similar to Get Out in terms of their exploration of social issues through a horror lens. These films all use the horror genre to address themes of racism, class disparity, and systemic oppression.
FAQ 6: How does Jordan Peele’s background in comedy influence the film’s horror elements?
Peele’s background in comedy allows him to inject moments of dark humor into Get Out, which heightens the film’s overall sense of unease. These comedic moments create a sense of cognitive dissonance, making the film’s scares even more effective. The humor also serves as a release valve for the tension, preventing the film from becoming too overwhelming.
FAQ 7: What makes the Armitage family so terrifying?
The Armitage family is terrifying because they represent the insidious nature of systemic racism. They present themselves as progressive and open-minded, but their actions reveal a deep-seated desire to exploit and control Black bodies. Their seemingly harmless microaggressions mask a truly horrifying agenda, making them all the more unsettling.
FAQ 8: Does Get Out‘s success pave the way for more social horror films?
Absolutely. Get Out‘s critical and commercial success demonstrated that audiences are hungry for horror films that address real-world issues. The film has undoubtedly inspired a new wave of social horror films that tackle themes of race, class, gender, and other social anxieties.
FAQ 9: How does the “Sunken Place” function as a metaphor within the film?
The “Sunken Place” is a powerful metaphor for the feeling of powerlessness and disenfranchisement experienced by marginalized communities. It represents the state of being trapped and unable to control one’s own destiny, even when physically present.
FAQ 10: Is Get Out a film that can be enjoyed purely as a thriller, without considering its social commentary?
While the suspenseful plot and intriguing mystery can be enjoyed on a superficial level, ignoring the film’s social commentary would be a significant disservice to its artistry and purpose. The social commentary is integral to the film’s scares and its overall impact.
FAQ 11: How has Get Out influenced the way horror films are discussed and analyzed?
Get Out has sparked a greater awareness of the potential for horror films to address social issues and engage in meaningful conversations about race, class, and power. It has also led to a more nuanced understanding of the social horror subgenre and its importance in contemporary cinema.
FAQ 12: What is the enduring legacy of Get Out?
The enduring legacy of Get Out lies in its ability to entertain, provoke, and inspire. It is a film that not only scares and thrills but also challenges audiences to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and the world around them. Its impact on the horror genre and its contribution to the ongoing conversation about race in America will undoubtedly be felt for years to come.