Context and Cultural Impact
The political context is crucial for understanding this film. After Obama's 2008 election, some white Americans claimed racism was "over" and being black was now an advantage - a sentiment Peele found deeply problematic. Get Out challenges this post-racial myth by showing how liberal racism can be more insidious than obvious prejudice.
Social movements like Black Lives Matter and the phrase "Stay Woke" directly influenced the film. The opening track by Childish Gambino uses this phrase, which has both political meaning (racial awareness) and personal meaning (stay alert to danger). It's the perfect double meaning for Chris's situation.
The Armitage estate resembles a plantation, and symbols like the "sunken place" represent the suppression of black progress. When Chris uses cotton to resist hypnosis, he's literally and symbolically breaking free from slavery's legacy. The bingo game functions as a modern slave auction - uncomfortable viewing that makes the point perfectly.
Cultural Impact: This 4.5millionfilmgrossedover255 million worldwide, proving audiences were hungry for horror that tackles real social issues rather than just cheap scares.
Peele's genius lies in making all white characters villains - deliberately avoiding the typical "white saviour" narrative. These aren't stereotypical racists but educated, liberal people who've voted for Obama yet still view black people as objects. The film's success proved that audiences, both black and white, were ready for this uncomfortable but necessary conversation about modern racism.