Solid thriller

Rating: 7/10 (28 June 2018)

I was extremely curious to watch this horror/thriller after all the hype surrounding it. I mean, an Academy Award for writing? Wow. That's rare enough for thrillers, truly exceptional for horrors. Not even Dan O'Bannon for Alien, Stanley Kubrick for The Shining and the Benchley/Gottlieb duo for Jaws got as much as a nomination.
Turns out this film is... fine? It reminds me, in terms of craft, atmosphere and structure, of M. Night Shyamalan's early phase (you know, the good one). I liked it well enough, even if I don't quite get all the hype.
Young African-American Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) meets the wealthy parents of his white girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams) in their isolated country mansion; the two appear friendly and Chris' initial fears about their racism seem quelled... until he notices something "off" about the family, their white friends and their black servants.
It's essentially Guess Who's Coming to Dinner... if Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn had been evil brainwashing body snatchers.
I enjoyed the first two acts, with the growing realization of a disturbing secret involving Rose's family; I was, however, a little disappointed by the specifics of the twist. Maybe it's a pet peeve of mine but, whenever thrillers feature scientists inventing and performing revolutionary procedures in their backroom, my suspension of disbelief crumbles. I mean, Mary Shelley could make that material work two hundred years ago... but with modern science it's so far off the left field I honestly wish Get Out had gone the extra mile and opted for a paranormal explanation (a coven of racist witches? whatever). In this kind of schlock magic feels less distracting than unbelievable science.
Performances are excellent. Kaluuya is a relatable everyman and Williams is fine in a tricky role. Veterans Bradley Whitford and Catherine Keener are great as the parents, walking the perfect balance between smug joviality and creepiness.
7/10