How Jordan Peele revolutionized an entire Genre in just three films
- pia kabott
- 6. Jan. 2024
- 9 Min. Lesezeit
Aktualisiert: 22. Jan. 2024
The film industry is constantly changing, characterized by creative minds who bring new perspectives and ideas. One of these innovative directors is Jordan Peele, who revolutionized the horror genre in just three films. His works, "Get Out" (2017), "Us" (2019) and "Nope" (2022), have not only achieved impressive success at the box office, but also sparked profound discussions about social issues.
Peele initially gained prominence as a comedian and actor, co-starring in the popular sketch comedy series "Key & Peele." His comedic prowess was widely acknowledged, earning him critical acclaim and establishing him as a prominent figure in the world of comedy.
However, Peele's artistic journey took a notable turn when he ventured into the horror genre as a filmmaker. His directorial debut, "Get Out" (2017), marked a groundbreaking moment in cinema. Peele showcased his ability to blend horror with social commentary, addressing issues such as racism and inequality. The film's success not only resonated with audiences but also garnered Peele an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, solidifying his reputation as a visionary filmmaker.
Peele continued to make waves in the horror genre with subsequent films like "Us" (2019) and "Nope" (2022), each contributing to his distinctive cinematic universe. His work is characterized by a skillful subversion of genre conventions, a keen exploration of societal issues, and a knack for creating thought-provoking narratives.
"Get Out" - subversion of genre clichés and social commentary
Jordan Peele enters the horror genre stage with “Get Out” and focuses on the subversion of genre clichés right from the start. The use of stereotypical elements of genre cinema is cleverly used to enable a profound examination of racism and social injustice. In doing so, Peele maintains the integrity of the genre and establishes himself as a pioneer.
"Get Out" deftly moves between social satire and intense suspense. The plot revolves around African-American photographer Chris Washington, played by Daniel Kaluuya, who visits his white girlfriend Rose, played by Allison Williams, at her parents' house for a weekend.
What initially seems like a harmless family visit quickly turns into a nightmarish experience for Chris. He notices that strange occurrences and eerie behavior are going on around his father-in-law. Over the course of the film, Chris discovers that black people in Rose's family's neighborhood are influenced and manipulated in disturbing ways.
The tension intensifies as Chris begins to discover the shocking truth behind the mysterious incidents.
Traditional horror films often use clichés in which black characters are often the first victims to die. “Get Out” subverts these expectations by establishing the black protagonist, Chris, as the central figure and placing him at the center of the horror. The film also uses horror to address racial prejudices and stereotypes. The plot revolves around the kidnapping of black people in order to have their bodies taken over by rich white people. This surreal premise allows racism to be illuminated in a metaphorical yet horrifying way. The depiction of so-called "brain transplants" symbolizes the exploitation of black bodies by the white upper class, a theme that is deeply rooted in US history.
The film not only focuses on blatant racism, but also exposes the dark sides of "liberal racism." Rose's family initially appears cosmopolitan, but appearances are deceptive. At first they seem to be open-minded and tolerant, which is emphasized by their liberal attitude and their friendly nature towards Chris. However, this apparent tolerance and liberality are unmasked as the film progresses. A concrete example is the annual family event that Rose takes Chris to. The family members show a certain fascination with Chris' physical condition, which they seem to value more than his individual self, as if it's emphasizing his black identity in a dehumanizing way. This suggests that they are unable to see Chris as a person in his own right, but instead reduce him to certain stereotypes based on his skin color.
The film also subtly shows the cohesion of the black community in America by capturing various aspects in the plot and characters. Right from the start, the protagonist Chris experiences a supportive relationship with his best friend Rod, who is also black. Rod is concerned about Chris' well-being and is the only one who doubts the supposed harmlessness of Rose's family and is the one who saves his friend in the end. Chris and other black characters in the film share similar experiences with racism. The conversation between Chris and Georgina, a black employee in the Armitage house, illustrates how they both have to deal with the subtle forms of racism. These shared experiences create an emotional connection between the characters.
Chris also wishes he could save the other black people, who's bodies have already been stolen, as he tries to bond with them through their shared identity and appears devastated when he is unable to help them.
2. "Us" - creation of an own mythology to reflect society
With "Us" Peele shows his ability to create his own universe. The film presents a disturbing world in which the protagonists face their dark doppelgängers. Peele creates a fascinating mythology that not only enhances the horror experience, but also allows for deep interpretation and discussion. Topics such as class differences and the subconscious, which represents oppressed sections of society, are addressed. Peele shows again that horror can be more than just moments of shock - it can provide a platform for profound social reflection.
The plot revolves around the Wilson family, who are attacked by eerie doppelgängers while on vacation on the Northern California coast. The family, consisting of Adelaide, her husband Gabe, and their two children Zora and Jason, soon learn that their mysterious attackers are exact copies of themselves are themselves. However, these doppelgangers, referred to as "The Tethered", are not just physical threats, but also reflect the dark and repressed sides of the Wilson family.
As the family fights for survival, the film gradually reveals the origins of the doppelgängers and their connection to individual family members. “Us” is shaping up to be a gripping thriller with deep social and existential undertones. Jordan Peele cleverly uses horror elements to tell an allegorical story about social class, self-confrontation and human nature. The film not only offers exciting, scary moments, but also makes you think about deep topics.
The central mythology in "Us" is the existence of the "Tethered" - exact copies of the main characters who live in underground tunnels. These doppelgangers not only symbolize physical threats, but also metaphorically represent the oppressed, forgotten and neglected sections of society. Peele creates an independent mythology that goes beyond traditional horror elements and takes on an allegorical dimension. The underground tunnels in which the Tethered live act as a symbolic labyrinth. This labyrinth represents not only the inner conflicts of the characters, but also the complex social structures and injustices that exist in society. Peele uses the labyrinth as a visual motif to emphasize the depth of his mythology.
The underground tunnels also act as an allegory for the subconscious of the protagonists and society as a whole. The Tethered represent the repressed, uncomfortable parts of human nature that are often ignored or denied. Going into the tunnels can therefore be interpreted as an immersion into one's own subconscious, where unspoken fears and conflicts are uncovered. The fact that the tunnels are underground emphasizes the spatial gap between the layers of society. Those who live on the surface are often unaware of the existence of those who struggle in the depths of the social hierarchy. Physical distance emphasizes the social divide and the separation between realities of life.
However, the existence of the Tethered is also used to point out the gap between social classes. The doppelgängers who live in the tunnels represent those who have been forgotten by society. This is reflected in their desperate search for equality and recognition. The film encourages us to think about the stratification of society and how these differences shape reality.
The Tethered's physical and linguistic limitations reflect a distorted version of reality. Their movements are awkward and alienated, indicating that although they are human-like, they are still not fully capable of imitating the movements and articulation of their surface doppelgangers. This creates a disturbing atmosphere as the Tethered are a menacing and sinister version of those they mirror.
The film uses mirrors as a recurring symbol to emphasize self-reflection and the hidden facets of human nature. The Tethered not only reflect the physical appearance of the Wilson family, but also their dark sides and repressed fears. This contributes to social criticism by pointing out hidden layers of human existence.
Another symbol in "Us" are the handcuffs that connect the Tethered. This represents not only the captivity of the lower classes, but also the historical oppression of minorities. Peele cleverly uses visual metaphors to illustrate societal injustices.
Jordan Peele combines these elements by interweaving the horror elements of his story with social criticism. He shows that horror not only serves to create fear, but can also serve as a medium for deeper social reflection. “Us” stands out as a groundbreaking contribution to the modern horror genre thanks to its innovative mythology and clear social-critical focus.
3. "Nope" - a witty play on modern fears
“Nope” deals with contemporary fears and insecurities. Peele adapts horror elements to address current societal challenges, showing once again that horror can be a reflection of the fears of our time. This film stands out, because it does at first glance not appear as a typical horror film, as it is a lot lighter, both visually and also story-wise. It features elements of Western and Sci-Fi films, as it mainly takes place in the dessert, and revolves primarily around the appearance of an alien-like apparition.
In "Nope", siblings OJ and Emerald Haywood live on a horse ranch in California's remote Santa Clarita Valley. The ranch belongs to their late father, Otis Haywood Sr., a legendary horse trainer, who worked for many Hollywood films. OJ and Emerald are both traumatized by Otis' sudden and mysterious death, which later turns out to be the first victim of the apparition. One day, OJ and Emerald observe the mysterious apparition in the sky above their ranch themselves. The apparition is large and black and appears to be moving about the ranch. OJ and Emerald aren't sure what it is, but they're determined to investigate. They discover that she is not the only one. There are other apparitions appearing in the area. The apparitions are dangerous and cause chaos and destruction. Ricky "Jupe" Park is a former Hollywood child star who runs an amusement park called Jupiter's Claim near the Haywoods' ranch. He is fascinated by the phenomenon in the sky and wants to utilize it for his shows in the park. He is intelligent and charismatic, but also arrogant and selfish, formed by the sensationalism of Hollywood, and therefore trying to exploit every opportunity there is, for fame. Jupe is initially thrilled by the appearance. He sees it as an opportunity to get his life back on track and be reborn as a famous filmmaker. But when he realizes the true nature of the apparition, he begins to fear, as it reminds him of a traumatic encounter with a chimpanzee named Gordy, which is a crucial event in the film "Nope" that shapes his character and motivations. As a child actor on the popular sitcom "Gordy's Home," Jupe witnesses a horrific incident where Gordy, the main chimpanzee character, snaps and brutally attacks his co-stars during a taping, whilst he is forced to watch while hiding under a table. This, ironically also is the event that made him famous most.
The plot of "Nope" is very different from Peele's previous works, as it tackles different social fears and problems which it addresses in a very exaggerated manner. The film's protagonists, OJ, Emerald and Jupe, are all fascinated by the mysterious object in the sky. They see it as an opportunity to gain fame and fortune. This longing for spectacle is a central theme of the film and is interpreted as a form of alienation and flattening of society. "Nope" also addresses the threat of modernity. The mysterious object in the sky is a threat to the Haywoods and their ranch. It represents the dangers of modernity, which threatens traditional values and ways of life, such as the entire Hollywood industry. This threat can also be interpreted as a metaphor for climate change and other global challenges.
Finally, the apparition himself can be seen as a metaphor for the entirety of Hollywood. Everyone that fell for its sensational appeal, got sucked up in its inside, like people often are said to be sucked up and crushed by the apparatus that Hollywood is. Therefore, this was the fate for Juniper, who has been keen on exploiting sensation for fame throughout all his life. His case is especially tragic, as he is not the one to blame, as this is simply the way he's been raised all his life, to the point where he is unable to recognize the danger it brings. OJ, Emerald and their friend Angel were consequently trying to fight the apparition, which stands for their ambition to protect their ranch from being commercialized and transformed to the standards of the industry.
Nope is a thought-provoking film. It shows how modern society is endangered by the longing for spectacle and the threat of modernity. But it also emphasizes the importance of family and community as a positive force against these threats.
When examining Peele's trilogy, it is clear that his contributions extend beyond traditional horror tropes. “Get Out” challenges racial stereotypes and prejudices, “Us” explores the complexities of identity and societal divisions, while “Nope” explores the dangers of modernity and the longing for spectacle. Peele masterfully weaves social commentary into the fabric of horror, transforming the genre into a vehicle for insightful reflections on contemporary issues.
Peele's films not only entertain with exciting narratives and scary moments, but also confronts audiences with uncomfortable truths. By foregrounding marginalized characters and using symbolism, allegory, and mythology, Peele invites viewers to engage more deeply with societal challenges.
Essentially, Jordan Peele's influence on the horror genre goes beyond mere scares; He has turned it into a platform for nuanced discussions about race, class and the human psyche. As he continues to push the boundaries of horror with innovation and wit, Peele cements his legacy as a trailblazer reshaping our understanding of what horror cinema can achieve.
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