Get Out

Chris and Rose are quite the couple. Rose is a Caucasian female from a rich, well-respected family, and Chris is an African-American male, whose upbringing is different than that of Rose’s. “So Chris and I are in a interracial relationship. No big deal!” thinks Rose. So what does she do? She tells Chris that her parents want to meet him and invites him to her parent’s house in the mountains for a small get together. Still, Rose thinks, it’s no big deal what our races are! Chris, however, isn’t so sure, but decides to join Rose nonetheless.

At her parents’ house, Rose introduces Chris. It doesn’t take long for things to get very uncomfortable for Chris, as Rose’s parents try to accommodate the fact that Rose is Caucasian and Chris is African-American, by means of dialog (example: Rose’s father asks her, “So how long has this THANG been happenin’?”). At first, Chris just brushes it off.

But, the more time Chris spends with Rose’s parents, and with all the, uh, African-American housekeepers and grounds-people, the more Chris realizes that Rose’s family is far from ordinary. Boy, is Chris in for a rough weekend.

I’m REALLY getting tired of Hollywood sticking their opinions into movies. Enough is enough. I, like many, often go to the movies to escape the stresses of life. Every time we step out the door, it seems there’s someone or someplace telling us “who to be” and “what to believe,” whether it is through social media (Twitter, Facebook, etc.), mass media news, or by other means. As soon as I heard a conversation about racism in this film, I couldn’t help but sigh, “Really? Is this necessary?” There is a proper time and place for conversations about the evils of racism, as there is for conversations regarding LGBTQ issues, but here’s the thing; for me, the place is NOT the movie theater (e.g., the intentional promotion of homosexuality in the new “Beauty and the Beast”). Whose responsibility is it to raise the next generation anyway? It’s not Hollywood’s, it’s ours.

“Get Out” has some good things going for it. For starters, I thought the performances by the leads AND the cameos were strong. There is also some good cinematography, brilliant ambiance, strong visuals, and effective delivery of the plot. However, all the good that this film has is outdone by the overkill of its racism message delivered through excessive vulgarity, violence, and sexual content. This detracts from what could have been an incredibly strong thriller.

Violence: • Man walking at night attacked from behind by a driver who choke holds him unconscious and throws him in his car trunk • Couple is driving car during daytime, when a deer hits the windshield. As man checks on the deer, we watch as it slowly dies. • Party guest attacks Chris, as he tries to take his picture • Male lead is strapped to a chair, someone comes in, and Chris hits him with a hard ball, repeatedly, even after the character has died and blood pools on the floor. • Chris skewers a character with deer antlers, blood pours out • Stabbing through the palm of a hand • Bloody killing of a woman • Stabbing of a man’s leg • Stomping of a man’s head to death • Driver hits walking woman, knocking her unconscious • Woman attacks man • Severe car crash kills woman passenger and injures bloody driver • Lead male is shot by a rifle • Bloody shooting of woman • Man graphically shoots himself in the head (bloody) • Male lead chokes girl to death

A particularly disturbing result of the film’s clever use of suspense and racial fear is that some audiences are reportedly cheering as the black hero violently kills white people (see secular critic reviews below).

Vulgarity: The f-word is used more than 50 times (often used sexually and repeatedly with the word “mother”), several uses of the substitute word “fruck,” sh*t (37), d*ck (2), a** (3), a**-hole (1), etc.

Profanity: Oh my G*d (8), G*d-d**n, Oh G*d, Oh L*rd, My G*d, h*ll, d*mn.

Sex/Nudity: Repeated references to sex slavery and some extremely graphic sexual dialog (which I will not list here). Also… • A black male talks about white people enjoying making black people do “kinky sh*t” and provides details • Someone asks Chris if Rose is licking his “b*lls” to get him meet her parents • A male makes sexual banging sounds as he brags about his sexual success with the hottest girl at a party • White woman feels Chris” arm and chest and asks Rose, “Is it true?” (clearly implying black male genital size and/or sexual prowess) • Lead female undressed (just panties and a top) and later apparently nude (showing bare back) • Males shirtless • Sexual activity implied repeatedly • Repeated French kissing, including in bed • Implied oral sex • Guy shown bleeding from his mouth—indicating a girl bit his tongue while French kissing

The message of the film was clear, some people are more oblivious to acts of racism than they think. Do you need to see “Get Out” to receive this message? No. There are much better ways.

Please be aware that the stars I’ve given for moviemaking quality do NOT warrant a recommendation, nor does it indicate this film is good entertainment. In the days following my viewing of “Get Out,” I quickly forgot who the characters were and why I went. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is pretty much “Get Out”… a passing moment, best forgotten. Save yourself the trouble of sitting through two hours of graphic violence, excessive obscenity and vulgarity, and heavy sexual content. Stay away from this movie.

Violence: Extreme / Profanity: Extreme / Sex/Nudity: Very Heavy—especially sexual dialog, some explicit

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