Jordan Peele is one of the last people out there making original movies that are designed to entertain large audiences. As I am writing this in the summer of 2022, I am genuinely struggling to think of anyone else who is not somehow caught up in the IP Slop trap but who is also crafting mass appeal pictures. It is quite depressing, but he’s great at least.
3. Us (2019)
Get Out was such a phenomenon that anticipation for what Jordan Peele would direct next immediately skyrocketed. Us never could live up to those expectations, but Peele did something better instead. Instead of just giving people a slightly different version of Get Out that almost definitely would have gotten great reviews and done great business, he made Us. He challenged audiences with a film that is structured much differently with much different themes and not something that was as easily digestible. Peele started down (and has continued since) a harder path that is infinitely more interesting and rewarding. And while Us may be less successful and satisfying in its own bubble compared to Get Out, it is an often terrifying film and always gripping film that will always signal the more daring path that Peele has started to go down.
2. Get Out (2017)
Chris wanted to believe. He is desperately pleading with Rose for the keys. All evidence points to her being in on it. Logically, it would be improbable if not impossible for her NOT to be involved in this whole scheme. Sure, she puts on a good, believable act. But he had just seen all of those photos of her many past black boyfriends. He knew what that meant. There was only one thing that could mean.
But Chris wanted to believe. That belief in the better angels of white people is dangerous and deadly. While there is so much going on in this modern masterpiece and pop culture phenomenon, it is that insidious idea that white people deserve that benefit of the doubt that creates this horrifying experience for Chris.
It’s hard to explain just what a phenomenon this film was in 2017. You truly had to be there. And yet, unlike so many “moment” pieces of art, it only gets more and more satisfying and interesting the more you watch it.
1. Nope (2022)
There is just so much going on with Nope. In no way should that be considered a surprise given who made the film, What was so fascinating about Nope was Peele’s deep exploration of humans confronting nature. The arrogance of thinking we can contain nature. Our inability to look away from nature’s destruction of us. The way we exploit nature for profit. Besides being suspenseful, beautifully shot, and compelling acted by the main players, Peele’s third outing works so well simply because he only seeks to hold up a mirror to us. Why are we so convinced we know how to tame nature in any way? I love this film more and more every time I watch it.
The Reel World 