First Take: Get Out- dark comedy just got more twisted

SYPNOSIS- A young African-American man visits his Caucasian girlfriend’s mysterious family estate.

Jordan Peele is a man very well known for short form comedy sketches, so when it was announced that he had written and directed a feature film, the world was sceptical- but he’s only gone and made a very twisted piece of independent cinema that has resonated with quite a large audience.

Peele has made what can only be described as a masterclass in the horror film, and for a first time director, his sense of pacing is impressive, with every shot providing valuable details for the more shocking elements of the plot that are revealed in the final act- and it is these details that make me dispense the following piece of advice: this is not a film for the faint hearted. Peele’s script is also really well written, and with the racial undertones he is known for on show for all 1 hour 43 minutes, this really is a passion project.

Performance wise, there is a lot of good work on offer here. Daniel Kaluuya gives undoubtedly a star-making performance as lead character Chris, and when he is paired with Allison Williams, they are very likable characters, however, once the family of characters commandeered by Catherine Keener make their presence felt, this is where the film excels in its horror roots. It’s shot excellently by Toby Oliver, and the score from Michael Abels adds to the tension of key scenes very well.

THE VERDICT

It may not be the sort of film that British audiences can truly understand, but for what it’s achieved, Get Out has really made an impression on me. Not just because of the gore, but because it is a really neat film.

RATING: 4/5