Jordan Peele’s critically acclaimed film Get Out has been a topic of discussion among movie enthusiasts and critics alike since its release in 2017. The movie’s unique blend of horror and social commentary has made it a standout in the genre, and its thought-provoking themes continue to resonate with audiences today. One of the most striking aspects of Get Out is its opening sequence, which sets the tone for the rest of the film and introduces viewers to the protagonist, Chris Washington. In this article, we’ll delve into the events that unfold at the beginning of Get Out, exploring the significance of these scenes and how they contribute to the overall narrative.
The Opening Scene: A Glimpse into the Life of Andre Hayworth
The film opens on a shot of a suburban street, with a car driving down the road. We see a young black man, Andre Hayworth, walking down the sidewalk, listening to music on his headphones. As he walks, he seems lost in thought, oblivious to his surroundings. Suddenly, a car pulls up beside him, and the driver, a white man, asks for directions. Andre, still distracted, provides the directions, and the man drives off. However, as Andre continues walking, he becomes aware of the car following him. The driver, who is revealed to be a hypnotist, uses his powers to lure Andre into the car, and he is never seen again.
The Significance of Andre’s Disappearance
Andre’s disappearance serves as a catalyst for the events that unfold in the film. His vanishing act is a mystery that is never fully explained, leaving the audience with a sense of unease and foreboding. This scene also introduces the theme of racial tension, which is a pervasive element throughout the film. The fact that Andre, a young black man, is targeted by a white hypnotist sets the tone for the rest of the movie, which explores the experiences of black people in a predominantly white society.
Meeting Chris Washington
The film then cuts to Chris Washington, a young black photographer who is preparing for a trip to meet his white girlfriend’s family. Chris is hesitant about the trip, expressing his concerns to his girlfriend, Rose. Rose reassures him that her family is liberal and welcoming, but Chris is still apprehensive. As they pack their bags and prepare to leave, Chris’s concerns are momentarily alleviated by Rose’s affection and reassurance.
Chris’s Reluctance: A Reflection of Deeper Fears
Chris’s reluctance to meet Rose’s family is more than just a simple case of nerves. As a black man, Chris is aware of the potential dangers of being in a predominantly white environment. He is hesitant to be himself, fearing that he will be judged or ostracized by Rose’s family. This fear is rooted in the historical experiences of black people in America, who have faced centuries of racism and oppression. Chris’s concerns are a reflection of the deeper fears that many black people face when interacting with white people, particularly in situations where they are the minority.
The Drive to the Armitage Estate
As Chris and Rose embark on their journey to the Armitage estate, the tension between them becomes palpable. Chris is visibly uncomfortable, and Rose tries to reassure him that everything will be fine. The drive is filled with awkward silences, and Chris’s anxiety is evident. When they arrive at the estate, Chris is struck by its grandeur and beauty. However, as they enter the house, he begins to feel a sense of unease, which is exacerbated by the strange behavior of the Armitage family’s black groundskeeper, Walter.
The Armitage Family: A Facade of Perfection
The Armitage family appears to be perfect, with their beautiful estate and welcoming smiles. However, as the film progresses, it becomes clear that this facade hides a darker reality. The family’s behavior is strange and unsettling, and Chris begins to feel like an outsider. The Armitages’ obsession with Chris’s body and his “genetic makeup” is particularly disturbing, and it becomes clear that they have an ulterior motive for inviting him to their home.
Conclusion
The beginning of Get Out sets the tone for the rest of the film, introducing viewers to the protagonist, Chris Washington, and the strange and unsettling world of the Armitage family. The opening scenes are significant, as they establish the themes of racial tension, identity, and the experiences of black people in a predominantly white society. As the film progresses, these themes are explored in greater depth, leading to a shocking and thought-provoking conclusion. By examining the events that unfold at the beginning of Get Out, we can gain a deeper understanding of the film’s narrative and its powerful social commentary.
| Character | Description |
|---|---|
| Andre Hayworth | A young black man who disappears at the beginning of the film. |
| Chris Washington | The protagonist of the film, a young black photographer who visits his white girlfriend’s family. |
| Rose Armitage | Chris’s white girlfriend, who invites him to meet her family. |
| The Armitage Family | Rose’s family, who appear to be perfect but hide a darker reality. |
In conclusion, the beginning of Get Out is a masterclass in building tension and establishing themes. By examining the events that unfold in the opening scenes, we can gain a deeper understanding of the film’s narrative and its powerful social commentary. As we continue to explore the world of Get Out, we are reminded of the importance of representation and diversity in film, and the need for more stories that reflect the experiences of marginalized communities.
What is the significance of the opening scene in Get Out?
The opening scene of Get Out sets the tone for the rest of the film, introducing the audience to the protagonist, Chris Washington, and his girlfriend, Rose Armitage. The scene shows Chris and Rose preparing for a trip to visit Rose’s family, and it establishes their relationship as loving and intimate. However, it also hints at the tensions and anxieties that Chris feels as a black man in a predominantly white environment.
The opening scene is significant because it establishes the central theme of the film, which is the experience of being a black person in a white-dominated society. The scene shows Chris’s unease and discomfort as he prepares to meet Rose’s family, and it foreshadows the events that will unfold as the film progresses. The scene is also notable for its use of symbolism, with the camera panning over a series of photographs that show Chris and Rose’s relationship, highlighting the ways in which their love is perceived and judged by others.
How does the film’s use of symbolism contribute to its themes?
The film’s use of symbolism is a key element in conveying its themes and ideas. The photographs that are shown in the opening scene, for example, symbolize the ways in which Chris and Rose’s relationship is perceived and judged by others. The photographs are also a symbol of the ways in which black people are often objectified and fetishized in white culture. The film’s use of symbolism adds depth and complexity to its themes, and it helps to create a sense of unease and tension that permeates the entire film.
The film’s use of symbolism is also evident in its use of color and lighting. The Armitage family’s estate is depicted as a bright and airy space, but it is also a space that is heavily surveilled and controlled. The use of lighting and color helps to create a sense of unease and discomfort, and it highlights the ways in which the Armitage family’s wealth and privilege are used to maintain their power and control over others.
What role does the character of Rose play in the film’s opening scenes?
Rose Armitage is a central character in the film’s opening scenes, and she plays a key role in establishing the tone and themes of the film. Rose is depicted as a loving and supportive partner to Chris, but she is also shown to be naive and oblivious to the ways in which her family’s wealth and privilege affect others. The film’s portrayal of Rose is complex and nuanced, and it helps to create a sense of tension and unease that permeates the entire film.
Rose’s character is also significant because she represents the ways in which white people can be complicit in racism and oppression, even if they do not intend to be. Rose’s love for Chris is genuine, but it is also a love that is rooted in her own privilege and naivety. The film’s portrayal of Rose helps to highlight the ways in which racism and oppression can be perpetuated by people who do not intend to be racist or oppressive.
How does the film’s portrayal of the Armitage family’s estate contribute to its themes?
The Armitage family’s estate is a key setting in the film, and it plays a significant role in establishing the tone and themes of the film. The estate is depicted as a bright and airy space, but it is also a space that is heavily surveilled and controlled. The film’s portrayal of the estate helps to create a sense of unease and discomfort, and it highlights the ways in which the Armitage family’s wealth and privilege are used to maintain their power and control over others.
The estate is also significant because it represents the ways in which wealth and privilege can be used to create a sense of isolation and disconnection from the rest of the world. The Armitage family’s estate is a self-contained world that is separate from the rest of society, and it is a world that is governed by its own rules and norms. The film’s portrayal of the estate helps to highlight the ways in which wealth and privilege can be used to maintain power and control over others.
What is the significance of the hypnosis scene in the film’s opening scenes?
The hypnosis scene is a key moment in the film’s opening scenes, and it plays a significant role in establishing the tone and themes of the film. The scene shows Chris being hypnotized by Rose’s mother, Missy Armitage, and it is a moment that is both unsettling and disturbing. The scene helps to create a sense of unease and tension that permeates the entire film, and it highlights the ways in which the Armitage family’s wealth and privilege are used to maintain their power and control over others.
The hypnosis scene is also significant because it represents the ways in which black people can be manipulated and controlled by white people. The scene shows Chris being hypnotized and manipulated by Missy Armitage, and it is a moment that is both humiliating and dehumanizing. The film’s portrayal of the hypnosis scene helps to highlight the ways in which racism and oppression can be perpetuated by people who do not intend to be racist or oppressive.
How does the film’s use of music contribute to its themes?
The film’s use of music is a key element in conveying its themes and ideas. The music that is used in the film’s opening scenes is a mix of jazz and hip-hop, and it helps to create a sense of unease and tension that permeates the entire film. The music is also significant because it represents the ways in which black culture is often co-opted and exploited by white people. The film’s use of music adds depth and complexity to its themes, and it helps to create a sense of unease and discomfort that permeates the entire film.
The film’s use of music is also evident in its use of silence. The film’s opening scenes are often silent, and this silence helps to create a sense of unease and tension. The silence is also significant because it represents the ways in which black people are often silenced and marginalized in white culture. The film’s use of silence helps to highlight the ways in which racism and oppression can be perpetuated by people who do not intend to be racist or oppressive.
What is the significance of the film’s title, Get Out?
The film’s title, Get Out, is a key element in conveying its themes and ideas. The title is significant because it represents the ways in which black people are often forced to navigate white spaces and environments. The title is also a warning, and it represents the ways in which black people must be constantly on guard against racism and oppression. The film’s title adds depth and complexity to its themes, and it helps to create a sense of unease and tension that permeates the entire film.
The film’s title is also significant because it represents the ways in which black people can be trapped and confined by white culture. The title is a reference to the ways in which black people are often forced to conform to white norms and expectations, and it is a warning about the dangers of being trapped in a world that is not your own. The film’s title helps to highlight the ways in which racism and oppression can be perpetuated by people who do not intend to be racist or oppressive.