The movie Get Out, directed by Jordan Peele, has been a topic of discussion among film enthusiasts and critics alike since its release in 2017. The film’s unique blend of horror and social commentary has made it a standout in the genre, with many praising its thought-provoking themes and expertly crafted plot. One of the most intriguing aspects of the movie is its opening scene, which sets the tone for the rest of the film. In this article, we will delve into the mystery of the man who disappears at the beginning of Get Out, exploring the possible interpretations and symbolism behind this pivotal scene.
Introduction to the Scene
The movie opens with a shot of a suburban street at night, the only sound being the distant hum of a car driving by. Suddenly, a man is seen walking down the sidewalk, looking over his shoulder as if he is being followed. The camera follows the man as he approaches a house, and just as he is about to reach the front door, he is tackled to the ground by an unseen figure. The screen fades to black, and the title of the movie appears. This scene is brief, but it sets the tone for the rest of the film, hinting at the dark and sinister events that are to come.
Analysis of the Scene
So, what happened to the man in the beginning of Get Out? The answer is not explicitly stated in the movie, leaving viewers to interpret the scene in their own way. One possible interpretation is that the man was abducted by the Armitage family, who are the main antagonists of the film. The Armitages are a wealthy and influential family who live in the suburban town where the movie takes place. They are known for their strange and sinister behavior, and it is possible that they are responsible for the man’s disappearance.
Symbolism of the Scene
The opening scene of Get Out can also be seen as a symbolic representation of the themes that are explored in the rest of the movie. The man who disappears represents the black body, which is often marginalized and exploited in society. The fact that he is tackled to the ground by an unseen figure suggests the violence and oppression that black people have faced throughout history. The scene is also a commentary on the lack of representation of black people in media, with the man’s disappearance serving as a metaphor for the erasure of black identities.
The Significance of the Missing Man
The missing man is not just a random character; he serves a greater purpose in the context of the movie. His disappearance sets the tone for the rest of the film, hinting at the dark secrets that lie beneath the surface of the suburban town. The man’s absence also foreshadows the events that will unfold, particularly the hypnosis and manipulation of the main character, Chris Washington.
Connection to the Main Plot
The missing man is also connected to the main plot of the movie, which revolves around Chris’s visit to his white girlfriend’s family. The Armitages are revealed to be hypnotizing and exploiting black people, using them as vessels for their own consciousness. The missing man may have been a previous victim of the Armitages, and his disappearance serves as a warning to Chris of the dangers that lie ahead.
Themes and Social Commentary
The movie Get Out is known for its thought-provoking themes and social commentary. The opening scene sets the tone for the rest of the film, exploring themes such as racism, oppression, and exploitation. The movie is a commentary on the experiences of black people in America, highlighting the microaggressions and biases that they face on a daily basis. The missing man serves as a symbol of the black experience, representing the marginalization and erasure of black identities.
Conclusion
The mystery of the missing man at the beginning of Get Out is a pivotal aspect of the movie, setting the tone for the rest of the film and hinting at the dark secrets that lie beneath the surface. The scene can be interpreted in many ways, from a symbolic representation of the black experience to a foreshadowing of the events that will unfold. As we reflect on the movie, it is clear that the missing man plays a significant role in the context of the story, serving as a warning to Chris and a commentary on the experiences of black people in America.
In order to better understand the many themes and social commentary present in Get Out, let’s examine some key points:
- The movie explores themes of racism, oppression, and exploitation, using the missing man as a symbol of the black experience.
- The Armitages are revealed to be hypnotizing and exploiting black people, using them as vessels for their own consciousness.
Overall, the opening scene of Get Out is a masterclass in storytelling, setting the tone for the rest of the film and exploring themes that are both thought-provoking and timely. As we continue to analyze and interpret the movie, it is clear that the missing man will remain a source of fascination for viewers, serving as a reminder of the power of film to challenge and subvert our expectations.
What inspired Jordan Peele to create the movie Get Out?
Jordan Peele’s inspiration for creating Get Out came from his own experiences as a black man in America, as well as his desire to comment on the current state of racism in the country. Peele has stated that he was influenced by a variety of sources, including his own feelings of being an outsider in predominantly white social circles, as well as the works of horror masters like Alfred Hitchcock and Rosemary’s Baby. He wanted to create a film that would challenge the audience’s perceptions and make them think about the ways in which racism can be subtle and insidious.
Peele’s vision for Get Out was to create a movie that would blend horror and comedy, using the genre to comment on the social ills of racism and microaggressions. He drew inspiration from his own life, as well as from the experiences of others, to craft a story that would be both unsettling and thought-provoking. By using the tropes of the horror genre, Peele was able to create a film that would keep audiences on the edge of their seats while also forcing them to confront the darker aspects of American society. The result was a movie that was both a critical and commercial success, and which has become a cultural touchstone for conversations about racism and social justice.
What is the significance of the hypnosis scenes in Get Out?
The hypnosis scenes in Get Out are significant because they serve as a metaphor for the ways in which racism can be used to control and manipulate people of color. The character of Missy Armitage, played by Catherine Keener, uses hypnosis to control the minds of the black characters in the film, forcing them to do her bidding and suppressing their free will. This can be seen as a commentary on the ways in which systemic racism can be used to oppress and marginalize people of color, forcing them to conform to the expectations of a dominant white culture.
The hypnosis scenes also serve to highlight the theme of cultural appropriation, as the Armitage family uses the bodies of black people to exploit their cultural and physical labor. The film suggests that this type of exploitation is a form of psychological and emotional slavery, in which the dominant culture uses the bodies and minds of people of color for its own benefit. By using hypnosis as a plot device, Peele is able to comment on the ways in which racism can be used to control and dominate people of color, and to highlight the need for resistance and liberation.
How does the movie Get Out subvert traditional horror genre expectations?
Get Out subverts traditional horror genre expectations by using the tropes of the genre to comment on social issues like racism and microaggressions. The film’s use of a black protagonist, Chris Washington, played by Daniel Kaluuya, is a departure from the traditional horror movie formula, which often features white protagonists and relegates people of color to secondary or minor roles. By making Chris the central character, Peele is able to tell a story that is both a horror movie and a commentary on the experiences of black people in America.
The film also subverts traditional horror genre expectations by using the villainy of the Armitage family to comment on the subtlety and insidiousness of racism. Rather than relying on overtly violent or monstrous villains, Peele uses the seemingly benevolent and liberal Armitage family to highlight the ways in which racism can be perpetuated by those who claim to be allies or friends. This subtle approach to villainy adds to the film’s sense of unease and tension, and helps to create a sense of uncertainty and doubt in the audience. By subverting traditional horror genre expectations, Peele is able to create a film that is both a commentary on social issues and a thrilling horror movie.
What is the significance of the character of Rod Williams in Get Out?
The character of Rod Williams, played by Lil Rel Howery, is significant because he serves as a source of comic relief and a voice of reason in the film. Rod is a TSA agent and Chris’s friend, and his skeptical and pragmatic approach to the strange events that unfold serves to ground the film in reality. At the same time, Rod’s character also serves to highlight the theme of gaslighting, as he is the only one who believes Chris’s story and is willing to help him uncover the truth.
Rod’s character also serves to subvert the traditional horror movie trope of the ” token black friend,” who is often killed off early in the film. Instead, Peele uses Rod’s character to challenge this trope and create a more nuanced and realistic portrayal of black characters in horror movies. By making Rod a central character and giving him a key role in the plot, Peele is able to create a film that is more inclusive and representative of diverse experiences. Rod’s character also adds to the film’s sense of humor and wit, and helps to balance out the darker and more serious themes of the movie.
How does the movie Get Out use symbolism and metaphor to convey its themes?
The movie Get Out uses symbolism and metaphor to convey its themes of racism, microaggressions, and cultural appropriation. The film’s use of the hypnosis scenes, for example, is a metaphor for the ways in which racism can be used to control and manipulate people of color. The character of the deer, which is killed by Rose’s brother Jeremy, is also a symbol for the ways in which black bodies are exploited and commodified by white culture. The film’s use of the teacup, which is shattered by Chris in a fit of rage, is also a symbol for the fragility of white privilege and the ways in which it can be challenged and subverted.
The film’s use of symbolism and metaphor also serves to add depth and complexity to the plot, and to create a sense of mystery and intrigue. The audience is forced to interpret the symbols and metaphors, and to piece together the clues in order to understand the true nature of the Armitage family’s sinister plot. By using symbolism and metaphor, Peele is able to create a film that is both a thought-provoking commentary on social issues and a thrilling horror movie. The film’s use of symbolism and metaphor also helps to create a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty, leaving the audience to question what is real and what is not, and to draw their own conclusions about the meaning and significance of the film.
What is the significance of the film’s ending, in which Chris escapes and the Armitage family is brought to justice?
The film’s ending, in which Chris escapes and the Armitage family is brought to justice, is significant because it serves as a commentary on the need for resistance and liberation in the face of systemic racism. The film suggests that it is only through collective action and solidarity that people of color can challenge and overcome the oppressive systems that seek to control and exploit them. The ending also serves to subvert the traditional horror movie trope of the “final girl,” in which the female protagonist is the only one to survive and escape the villain.
The film’s ending is also significant because it provides a sense of hope and catharsis for the audience. After being subjected to a series of terrifying and unsettling events, the audience is finally able to experience a sense of relief and resolution as Chris escapes and the Armitage family is brought to justice. The ending also serves to underscore the film’s themes of resistance and liberation, and to provide a sense of closure and completion to the story. By providing a sense of hope and catharsis, the film’s ending helps to create a sense of emotional resonance and impact, and to leave a lasting impression on the audience.