Get Out - Good horror isn’t dead

Let’s face it, the horror genre seems to have got even more stale than ever lately.  Sure, ever since ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ kind of launched the ‘slasher’ sub-genre of mainstream horror, many films have followed that particular layout, especially when teens were the leads.  However, I’m pleased to say that ‘Get Out’ is actually a breath of – pretty horrific – fresh air.

I’m going to get the word out the way straight away – awkward.  Yes, this film’s primary emotion it generates in you is not fear, disgust or dread.  It’s awkwardness (an emotion we’ve all felt from time to time and one more associated with turning up to work in trainers in an office full of people in smart shoes than full blown horror).  However, there’s more to it than that.We meet a young mid-twenties couple who are returning to her parents’ house in a small, but ‘respectable’ town in ‘Middle America.’ Nothing particularly out of the ordinary there, but Chris Washington is a black man and his girlfriend, Rose Armitage, is white.  Again, nothing that would raise an eyebrow in most places these days, but this is – at heart and despite its overall awkwardness – a horror movie after all. 

When this black man arrives in his potential inlaws' house, there’s quite an uncomfortable feeling in the air.  They’re not racists or bigots, just people who haven’t really experienced people of other cultures and races – queue the start of the awkwardness.  They do their best to make him feel welcome, constantly referencing supposedly ‘black’ culture in an effort to make him feel at home.  But there’s still that awkwardness in the air that something else is going on.  This is the point where I can’t say too much more without dipping my toe into the territory of ‘spoilers.’ I will just say that if you thought Ben Stiller had it bad in ‘Meet the Parents’ you won’t believe what poor Chris Washington has to go through!

Eventually, the awkwardness and uncomfortable atmosphere cracks and ‘Get Out’ turns into what it’s meant to be – something pretty horrible.  It’s definitely a pleasant change from the slasher/zombie horror films which seem to be infesting the cinema these days.  The closest film I could liken it to may be a certain other dark classic from the seventies starring (amongst others) Nannette Newman, but I’ll leave you to wait and see any slight similarities.  It does touch on quite a few modern issues with race and the perception thereof, however it’s never preachy or annoying by trying to put its message over the fact that it’s a dark, disturbing film first (social commentary later!).

‘Get Out’s’ primary strength is its two young leads.  They have to be believable as a normal couple who you can relate to in order for us to buy into their plight.  And they do.  Daniel Kaluuya (Chris Washington) ultimately carries the film and it’s impossible not to sympathise for him when the bad stuff really starts to happen.  All in all, whatever your politics, as long as you enjoy good, solid, slow-burning horror films which gradually crank up the tension, you really do need to watch this.

8/10 The Force is definitely strong with this one