The Horror Movies Coming To Netflix That Launched The Hottest Director Today
Get Out and Us from director Jordan Peele are coming to Netflix on October 1. The filmmaker is known for blending horror with social and cultural themes related to race. While his films have sparked discussions about racism and inequality in America, Peele’s success also paved the way for more diverse voices in the horror genre, breaking the mold of predominantly white male directors.
Get Out
Released in 2017, Get Out, directed and written by Jordan Peele, revolves around Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya), a young African-American man who visits the family estate of his white girlfriend, Rose Armitage (Allison Williams). Initially, Chris dismisses his unease about the family’s overly accommodating behavior due to their attempts to be racially sensitive.
The central horror element in the Jordan Peele film emerges when Chris is hypnotized by Rose’s mother, Missy Armitage, who is a psychiatrist. This experience plunges Chris into a nightmarish trance, during which he is powerless and unable to resist. Chris eventually discovers that other Black individuals who have visited the estate have gone missing or become “different” in some way.
Chris’s desperate attempts to escape the estate and its disturbing secrets drive the tension and suspense of the film’s climax. Get Out’s horror is deeply rooted in its social commentary, with Jordan Peele using the story to address the fetishization of black bodies, the exploitation of black labor and talent, and the insidious nature of racism in supposedly progressive environments.
Jordan Peele’s acclaimed horror films, Get Out and Us, will both be streaming on Netflix as of October 1.
Jordan Peele received widespread critical acclaim for Get Out. Critics praised its message about race relations while noting its originality and ability to provoke fear and thought-provoking discussions. It holds a 98 percent score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. The film won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and earned over $255 million at the global box office.
Jordan Peele’s Us
In 2019, Jordan Peele released Us, where he also served as writer and director. The movie begins with a young Adelaide Wilson visiting a beachside amusement park in 1986, where she experiences a traumatic encounter. The story then shifts to the present day, where Adelaide (Lupita Nyong’o), now an adult with a family, returns to the same town on vacation with her husband, Gabe (Winston Duke), and their children.
Late one night, the Wilsons are confronted by a family of eerie doppelgangers who break into their vacation home. Known as “The Tethered,” the intruders bear a striking resemblance to the Wilsons but are sinister and violent. Adelaide and her family must not only defend themselves but also uncover the truth about The Tethered.
By creating Us, Jordan Peele delves deep into the idea that there is darkness within every individual. The film suggests that society’s privileged class often ignores the suffering and oppression experienced by those less fortunate, symbolized by the existence of The Tethered. The film explores themes of inequality, class division, and the consequences of neglecting the less fortunate.
Us leaves much of its narrative to interpretation, encouraging viewers to analyze the film’s deeper meanings. It can be seen as an allegory for the hidden societal divisions and the consequences of privilege. This Jordan Peele movie also received positive critical reviews, although some found its message and storytelling too ambiguous and complex compared to Get Out.
Despite its complex nature, Us was praised for its chilling atmosphere, innovative premise, and strong performances, particularly from Lupita Nyong’o. The film holds a respectable 93 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie was another box office success for Jordan Peele, grossing over $255 million worldwide, similar to the performance of Get Out.
Over the years, Jordan Peele has demonstrated a unique talent for crafting horror films that are terrifying and intellectually stimulating. Get Out, and Us are prime examples of this approach. Peele received widespread acclaim for his work, cementing his status as a visionary writer. In addition to his directorial and writing endeavors, Peele has become an influential figure as a producer.
Jordan Peele used his influence to champion other horror projects that align with his vision for the genre, including the HBO series Lovecraft Country, which blends horror with themes of racism and social injustice, and the 2020 film Candyman, which explores the legacy of systemic racism through a horror lens. His most recent horror project was the 2022 neo-Western sci-fi horror Nope.
