Jordan Peele’s Get Out is one of the most talked-about films in modern horror. Released in 2017, it quickly became a cultural phenomenon. While it doesn’t look like a typical horror film filled with monsters or ghosts, Get Out is a horror movie at its core. It uses fear, suspense, and real-world issues to create something truly chilling.
In this article, we will explore why Get Out belongs to the horror genre. We’ll look at the plot, the techniques used in the film, the role of racism, and how it redefined horror for a new generation. By the end, you’ll understand why this film is not only a horror movie—but one of the most important ones in recent history.
What Is the Plot of Get Out?
At the heart of Get Out is a simple story. A young Black man named Chris Washington goes to meet the family of his white girlfriend, Rose Armitage, for the first time. At first, the trip seems normal—awkward, maybe, but harmless. Her parents live in a quiet, upper-class neighborhood. They act overly friendly, but Chris brushes it off.
However, things take a dark turn. Chris realizes that something is very wrong. The Black people in the town behave strangely. They speak and move like someone else is controlling them. Eventually, Chris uncovers a terrifying secret: Rose’s family is part of a twisted plan to transplant white people’s brains into Black bodies.
This shocking twist forms the backbone of the horror in Get Out. It mixes psychological tension with physical danger, all wrapped in sharp social commentary.
Horror Isn’t Always About Monsters
When people think of horror movies, they often imagine zombies, vampires, or killers with masks. But horror is more than just scary creatures. It’s about fear—deep fear. It can come from anywhere, especially from real-life issues.
Get Out doesn’t rely on typical horror icons. Instead, it uses racism, control, and loss of identity to terrify the audience. The fear in Get Out feels real because it’s based on real experiences. That’s what makes it so effective.
The Use of Psychological Horror
One of the main reasons Get Out is a horror movie is because it uses psychological horror. This kind of horror plays with the mind. It builds tension slowly. You feel uneasy without knowing exactly why at first.
From the beginning of the movie, Chris feels out of place. The Armitage family makes uncomfortable comments about race. Their smiles seem forced. Their words don’t match their actions. All of this makes the viewer feel what Chris feels—nervous, confused, and trapped.
Then there’s the famous “sunken place” scene. Rose’s mother hypnotizes Chris, sending him into a state where he can see and hear, but he can’t move. He becomes a passenger in his own body. This moment is terrifying not because of violence, but because of helplessness. That’s pure psychological horror.
Racism as the Source of Fear
The true horror of Get Out comes from its portrayal of racism. The movie doesn’t show the usual forms of racism—like hate crimes or slurs. Instead, it shows subtle, “polite” racism. This is the kind that hides behind smiles and compliments.
The Armitages don’t hate Black people—they want to become them. They see Black bodies as desirable, strong, and valuable. But they don’t respect Black minds or identities. They want to erase Chris’s personality and replace it with their own. That idea is horrifying.
This kind of racism is called “liberal racism” or “microaggressions.” Get Out shows how dangerous these ideas can be. It makes viewers question what lies beneath friendly faces. That fear is very real, especially for Black audiences. That’s what makes the movie so powerful—and so scary.
The Feeling of Being Watched
Another element that makes Get Out a horror film is the constant sense of being watched. Chris is surrounded by people who are always looking at him. They study his body. They ask strange questions. They act like he’s not a person, but a product.
This creates a feeling of paranoia. Chris never feels safe. The viewer feels it too. There’s always a sense that something bad is about to happen. This slow build of dread is a key feature of horror movies.
The Role of Hypnosis
Hypnosis in Get Out is not used for entertainment or therapy. It’s used as a weapon. Rose’s mother, Missy, uses hypnosis to take control of Chris’s mind. This makes him easier to manipulate and kidnap.
The hypnosis scenes are some of the most frightening in the film. Chris doesn’t know what’s happening. He’s vulnerable. The idea of losing control over your own mind is a classic horror theme. It taps into a deep fear—the fear of losing yourself.
The Concept of the “Sunken Place”
The “sunken place” is one of the most haunting images in Get Out. It’s a dark, endless space where Chris’s consciousness is trapped. He can see what’s happening in the real world, but he can’t do anything. He’s screaming inside, but no one can hear him.
This idea hits hard for many viewers, especially those who have felt voiceless or powerless in society. The sunken place is a symbol of oppression and isolation. It’s not just scary—it’s deeply emotional. That emotional terror is part of what makes the movie so powerful.
Social Commentary as Horror
Get Out stands out because it uses horror to talk about society. This is called “social horror” or “social thriller.” It’s a type of horror that reflects real fears in the real world. Movies like Rosemary’s Baby and The Stepford Wives also used this method, but Get Out brought it to a new level.
Jordan Peele used the horror genre to expose hidden racism in modern society. He showed that horror doesn’t have to be about imaginary monsters. It can be about the world we live in. That’s why Get Out hit so many nerves. It made people think—and it made them scared.
The Ending: A Mix of Relief and Rage
The ending of Get Out brings both release and pain. Chris finally fights back. He escapes and survives. But the journey is brutal. He’s hurt, betrayed, and nearly killed.
When the police car shows up at the end, most viewers expect the worst. After everything Chris has been through, he might still be arrested—or worse. That moment of fear, even after surviving, shows how deep the horror runs.
When we find out it’s his friend Rod and not the police, we feel relief. But we’re also reminded of how real this fear is in the world outside the movie. That blend of emotion makes the horror hit even harder.
Why Critics and Fans Call It Horror
Many horror fans and critics praise Get Out as a true horror movie. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. It was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor. That kind of recognition is rare for horror films.
Critics called it “fresh,” “bold,” and “terrifying.” Horror fans loved how it broke new ground. It showed that horror can be smart and serious. It proved that horror can talk about race, identity, and society without losing its edge.
Jordan Peele’s Approach to Horror
Jordan Peele grew up loving horror movies. But he noticed that most horror films didn’t include Black characters in major roles. When they did, those characters often died first. Peele wanted to change that.
With Get Out, he flipped the script. He made a Black man the center of the story. He gave him depth, emotion, and strength. And he made the horror come from a place many Black people know all too well—racism.
Peele has said that horror is the perfect genre for telling stories about fear and power. Get Out is proof of that. It’s not just a scary movie—it’s a movie about what scares people in real life.
How Get Out Changed Horror
Get Out changed the horror genre. It opened the door for more diverse voices. It showed that horror could be about more than just blood and jumpscares. It could be about real-life pain and injustice.
After Get Out, more films followed its lead. Movies like Us, Candyman (2021), and Nope continued this trend. They mixed horror with social themes. They told stories that had never been told before in this way.
This shift has made horror more exciting and more meaningful. It’s now a genre where filmmakers can explore serious topics while still scaring the audience.
Final Thoughts
Get Out is a horror movie because it creates fear in many ways. It uses psychological tension, real-world issues, and social commentary to scare the audience. It doesn’t need ghosts or killers to be frightening. The horror comes from how people treat each other—and how society ignores it.
It’s a story about control, identity, and survival. It makes us think about who we are and how we see others. That’s what great horror does. It reflects the darkest parts of our world and forces us to face them.
So, why is Get Out a horror movie? Because it shows us a world that looks like our own—but twisted just enough to make us see it in a new, terrifying light.
