This Visionary Director’s Unforgettable Debut Film Named as the Greatest Horror Movie of the 21st Century

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The New York Times has spoken and the publication’s top 100 movies of the 21st century have officially been announced. Dramas, comedies, thrillers, and action flicks abound in the packed list that features movie stars like Tom Cruise and Kirsten Dunst and filmmakers like Steven Soderbergh and David Lynch. Amidst all the excitement, one genre is going largely unsung: horror. It shouldn’t come as a shock to many that the spooky-scary styling isn’t getting as much love as its high-octane or heartfelt brothers and sisters. However, the eighth spot goes to one of not only the greatest genre features of the 21st century, but one that we’d consider to be up there with the greatest of all time. Wedged in between Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away and Michel Gondry’s Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is Jordan Peele’s masterpiece, Get Out.

Serving as the creative genius’ feature-length directorial debut, Get Out blends horror with social commentary as it tells the story of a young black man named Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) who travels with his white girlfriend, Rose (Allison Williams), to spend time with her family. The upper middle-class family consider themselves to be liberal allies who make it a point to tell their guest that they voted for Barack Obama in hopes of making him feel safe, only to later be uncovered as harboring a sinister secret. Stepping away from an outwardly racist villain such as a KKK member, the themes found in Get Out force those living with white privilege to take a serious look in the mirror.

Driving its message, Get Out’s ensemble cast is filled to the brim with incredible performances from an uber-talented call sheet. While Kaluuya’s ever-changing emotions drive the screenplay (which was penned by Peele), a stacked supporting cast including Lil Rel Howery (Vacation Friends), LaKeith Stanfield (Sorry to Bother You), Betty Gabriel (Novocaine), Bradley Whitford (The West Wing), Catherine Keener (Being John Malkovich), Caleb Landry Jones (Nirtram) and Stephen Root (Office Space) help propel the story.

‘Get Out’ Solidified Jordan Peele’s Filmmaking Career

Before his work on Get Out, most folks probably knew Peele from his work as one half of the comedy duo behind the hit sketch series, Key & Peele. His first foray into filmmaking proved that Peele was so much more than a funny man and that he could not only make a gripping, edge-of-your-seat nailbiter, but that he could do it while also spreading a message. Since then, he’s largely stuck to directing, having chilled and thrilled viewers with other favorites, including Us, and Nope.

Get Out is currently streaming on Peacock.