Societal satire serves up scares

thought-provoking nature that strikes at the very heart of societal subculture.

But that’s not to say Peele doesn’t know how to bring the fear. From menacing use of a tea cup and the world’s most disturbing game of bingo to eerie sound design led by Michael Abels’ string-heavy music, genre fans aren’t shortchanged.

It’s more of an uncomfortable sort of dread that drips throughout, though, as Rose’s parents – especially a clearly-hiding-something Keener – and creepy brother Jeremy (Caleb Landry Jones) do more with too-happy smiles, ‘welcoming’ gestures and dinner table sportthemed chat than any axe-wielding maniac chasing after Chris ever could.

Kaluuya gives a wonderful performance that progresses from polite in the face of provocation smiles and knowing glances to fullblown terror and Girls’ star Williams – making her big screen bow – impresses too in a role that requires much more than you’d originally think.

Peele’s comedic background comes to the fore with genuinely funny beats undercutting the tension – led by LilRel Howery’s straighttalking loudmouth Rod.

His storyline twists are effective and surprising and the film transforms into something very different during the latter stages.

While he borrows from other horrors, it’s a tribute to the quality of Peele’s writing and directing that Get Out is still unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

The year’s other genre contenders will do well to better this virtuoso nailbiting satire.