HALLOWEEN HORRORFEST 2021: Get Out (2017)

Okay, those of you who had the 10th on the 'When Will Tom End Up Skipping The Day,' come forward to collect your prize.  It seems like I can't do a whole month without my depression kicking in.

Yesterday's sponsor today is the man behind Hyphen Universe and its selection of podcasts, music and other entertainment delights, Kelen Conley.  As with last year, I urge you to check out Kelen's Bandcamp Page, where you can access some great music he records under the name B-Hyphen!  Kelen is representing the Lukemia and Lymphoma Society.

This year, Kelen decided to give me a break from Ratapalooza by asking me to look at the landmark horror film that netted its director Jordan Peele an Oscar for Best Screenplay, 2017's Get Out.

Chris Washington (Daniel Kaaluya) is going upstate to meet his white girlfriend Rose's (Allison Williams) parents.  Her parents seem to be somewhat embarrassing well-meaning liberals (Bradley Whitford and the long-missed Catherine Keener), and the two African Americans who make up the staff behave...oddly.  Chris endures the big family party, but is rather disconcerted by some of the questions and comments made by the guest...and he has every right to be disconcerted.  It seems Rose's mom did more than cure him of smoking when she hypnotized him, and he's about to be the latest subject of what is referred to as 'The Order of Coagula'...

There's an extremely good reason why Peele won his Oscar, as the strength of the film comes from its tight, well paced script.  Peele is able to juggle humor, social commentary and psychological chills very deftly, and this results in a two hour film which doesn't drag.  He's very straightforward with what is happening, at points even out and out says it...but because of the structure we may not even notice.  Even when things are beginning to come together with the silent 'bingo game' conducted by Dr. Whitford, Peele keeps us slightly distracted with a simple compare and contrast.  I also like the bait and switch where the character we are meant to take to be the comic relief (Little Rey Howery) ends up having a different role by the third act.

This is beautifully shot, wonderfully acted (and cast, for that matter, as I can believe that Keener and Williams are mother and daughter), and shows Peele's love for Rod Serling.  Most importantly, there's no jump scares; even those moments that are supposed to act as jump scares are very well set-up as to be logical developments.  There's not a moment that doesn't belong in the film, and that's refreshing.  

I do want to point out that, in addition to Keener I was very pleased with a small but significant role by Stephen Root.  When we get the reveal behind Root's character's motivations, I liked how it was for far simpler reasons than we may have thought...and that makes it more chilling.

I know this is another boring positive review, because there's so little to talk about other than 'it's great.'  It shows how you can make a truly unsettling film without special effects, extreme gore or the kind of 'Boo!' scares that seems to be all mainstream horror is interested in these days.  But I'm sure you've realized if you've followed the 'fest for long enough that when the review's short...I certainly recommend it.

Tomorrow...well, it's supposed to be today but you know what I mean...our sponsor is the Baddest Cheerleader of Them All, the great Kelli Maroney!  Kelli brings us the most recent film to date in this Horrorfest, a little tale of madness set in Great Britain during the notorious 'Video Nasty' era.  Join me for this year's Censor!

There are presently fourteen open slots for this year's festival, and if you'd like to be included, there are four ways to get your share of the spotlight:

1) You can become a Domicile of Dread Patreon at any level.  Patreons always get a free slot, as well as advance access to podcasts and other goodies!

2) You can buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi.  Suggested donation is $3

3) You can make a donation to Queens Community House Covid-19 Relief and Recovery Campaign.  Suggested donation is $10.  Please forward your receipt to me as proof.

4) You can choose to make a donation to the charity chosen by a sponsor on his/her/their day. Like with the third possibility, please forward me proof of donation.

It is not necessary to choose a rat-based horror film.  However, if you do, I will forward you a special Ratapalooza banner you can display on your website.