Get Out Film Review

Get Out is a psychological horror film that combines social commentary with thrilling suspense. Released in 2017, it marks Jordan Peele's directorial debut and has received widespread critical acclaim for its originality and thought-provoking themes.

Introduction to Get Out

The film tells the story of Chris, a young African American photographer who visits his white girlfriend's family in upstate New York. At first, Chris interprets the family's overly accommodating behavior as a nervous attempt to deal with their daughter's interracial relationship. However, as the weekend progresses, Chris uncovers a series of disturbing secrets that lead him to a sinister truth.

Themes and Performances

The movie explores themes of racism, identity, and the fetishization of black bodies. The performances are superb, with Daniel Kaluuya delivering a nuanced portrayal of Chris. Allison Williams also shines as Rose, Chris's girlfriend, bringing depth to a character that could have been one-dimensional.

Direction and Suspense

Jordan Peele's direction is masterful, weaving together elements of horror and comedy to create a unique viewing experience. The film's use of suspense is expertly crafted, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats as Chris navigates the treacherous world of his girlfriend's family. One specific reason Get Out is great for English learners is its thought-provoking dialogue, which encourages viewers to think critically about the themes and issues presented in the film.

6 hidden details

Jordan Peele's Inspiration

Jordan Peele has stated that he was inspired to write Get Out after experiencing feelings of unease and discomfort during his own interactions with his white girlfriend's family. He wanted to explore the idea of being an outsider in a seemingly idyllic community.

Casting Process

The casting process for Get Out was rigorous, with Jordan Peele holding multiple auditions to find the perfect actors for each role. Daniel Kaluuya was cast as Chris after a series of impressive auditions.

Filming Locations

The film was shot on location in upstate New York, with the Armitage family's estate being a real house in the area. The production team chose this location for its eerie and isolated atmosphere.

Racial Commentary

Get Out has been praised for its thought-provoking commentary on racism and privilege. The film uses the horror genre to explore themes of oppression and marginalization.

Awards and Accolades

Get Out received widespread critical acclaim, earning several awards and nominations, including the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

Box Office Success

The film was a commercial success, grossing over $255 million worldwide on a budget of just $4.5 million. This made it one of the most profitable films of 2017.

The Takeaway

Get Out is a film that will leave viewers thinking long after the credits roll. It teaches us about the importance of empathy, understanding, and the dangers of making assumptions about others. For English learners, I recommend watching the scene where Chris first meets Rose's family with subtitles to better understand the nuances of the dialogue and the subtle hints of racism that are present from the beginning. This scene sets the tone for the rest of the film and provides valuable insight into the characters' motivations.

Watch this film. Speak better English by Sunday.

Vocabulary, idioms, cultural context, and one scene broken down for shadowing practice.

Vocabulary (16)

nuanced

middle

having subtle differences or shades of meaning

"The film's portrayal of racism was nuanced and thought-provoking."

fetishization

late

the act of treating something or someone as an object of obsession or desire

"The film critiques the fetishization of black bodies in white culture."

idyllic

early

extremely happy or peaceful

"The Armitage family's estate seemed idyllic at first, but it hid a dark secret."

marginalization

middle

the act of treating someone or a group as unimportant or inferior

"The film explores the marginalization of African Americans in white-dominated communities."

oppression

late

the act of treating someone or a group unfairly or cruelly

"The film highlights the oppression of African Americans throughout history."

subtle

middle

not obvious or noticeable

"The film's use of subtle hints and clues kept the audience engaged."

suspense

middle

a feeling of excitement or anxiety about what will happen next

"The film's use of suspense kept the audience on the edge of their seats."

thrilling

late

exciting or frightening

"The film's thrilling plot twists kept the audience engaged."

unease

early

a feeling of discomfort or anxiety

"Chris felt a sense of unease when he first met Rose's family."

weave

middle

to combine different things in a skillful way

"The film's director wove together elements of horror and comedy to create a unique viewing experience."

widespread

late

existing or happening in many places

"The film received widespread critical acclaim."

thought-provoking

late

making you think deeply about something

"The film's themes were thought-provoking and sparked important discussions."

originality

late

the quality of being new or unique

"The film's originality was praised by critics and audiences alike."

acclaim

late

great praise or approval

"The film received critical acclaim for its performances and direction."

psychological

middle

relating to the study of the mind and its functions

"The film's psychological horror elements were unsettling and disturbing."

sinister

late

giving a feeling of evil or threat

"The film's sinister plot twists kept the audience engaged."

Idioms & Expressions

on the edge of their seats

completely engaged and interested

used to describe the audience's reaction to the film's suspenseful plot

set the tone

to establish the mood or atmosphere

used to describe the first scene where Chris meets Rose's family

think critically

to analyze and evaluate information carefully

used to describe the audience's reaction to the film's themes and issues

make assumptions

to assume something is true without evidence

used to describe Chris's initial impressions of Rose's family

leave someone thinking

to make someone think deeply about something after it has ended

used to describe the film's lasting impact on the audience

Cultural References

interracial relationships

relationships between people of different racial or ethnic backgrounds, which can be a sensitive topic in some cultures

white privilege

the unearned advantages and benefits that white people receive in society, often at the expense of people of color

African American experiences

the unique cultural, social, and historical experiences of African Americans, which are often shaped by racism and oppression

upstate New York

a region in the state of New York that is known for its rural landscapes and wealthy communities, often contrasted with the urban areas of New York City

Scene Breakdown for Shadowing

around 00:42:00

Chris: 'I don't know what you're talking about.'
Rose: 'Come on, Chris. You know exactly what I'm talking about.'
Chris: 'No, I don't.'
Rose: 'Fine. If you want to play it that way.'
Chris: 'What's going on, Rose?'
Rose: 'Nothing. Just forget it.'

This scene is powerful for learners because it showcases the subtle tension and unease that can exist in relationships. The vocabulary used is nuanced, with phrases like 'I don't know what you're talking about' and 'Come on, Chris.' The idioms used, such as 'play it that way,' are also useful for learners to understand. To practice shadowing, learners can repeat the dialogue and try to mimic the intonation and rhythm of the actors.

Get Out

Introduction to Get Out

Themes and Performances

Direction and Suspense

6 hidden details

Jordan Peele's Inspiration

Casting Process

Filming Locations

Racial Commentary

Awards and Accolades

Box Office Success

The Takeaway

Watch this film. Speak better English by Sunday.

Vocabulary (16)

Idioms & Expressions

Cultural References

Scene Breakdown for Shadowing

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