Summary
Jordan Peele is back with a brand-new psychological horror, and this time he’s delving into the world of competitive sports.Himis a further evolution of Peele’s style, seeking to redefine the themes and topics the horror genre can explore.
Originally known for his work as part of the comedic duoKey & Peele,Jordan Peele made a major career change and is now renowned for his iconic outings inhorror cinema, going on to found his own production company: Monkeypaw Productions.Get Outwas Peele’s initial film in 2017, and it quickly became an instant classic. Much like his later films,UsandNope,all of his stories explore theAfrican-American experience in past and present-day American society.Get Outwas an incredible exploration of the objectification and exploitation of black bodies by those in wealthy, white cultures, who create a pretense of liberalism or feigned tolerance because they perceive being African-American as fashionable. It also expertly captured some of the pernicious and subconscious racial biases at play in modern-day society. Now, Peele is seeking to use his genre-bending form to tackle issues within the sports community.
The cross-section of horror and sports may not have been an obvious decision for others within the film industry, butfor Peele, it’s an exciting new frontierto capture how bent the human psyche can become for those trapped under the weight of the football industry. The teaser opens with shots of a roaring stadium, asking the insistent question, “Do you want this? I said, Do you want this?” Right off the bat, this establishes a power dynamic between those football players seeking to become legends and the expectations that are placed upon them. Although he’s only a producer on the project, Peele is signaling from the get-go that a hard level of commitment and sacrifice is needed from those who do indeed want to be the best, as viewers are repeatedly reminded of the mantra that:
“Talent is how hard you’re willing to work. No days off. No Sleep. We Grind.”
Jordan Peele Is Continuing His Trend Of Commenting On Black Experience Through Horror Cinema
The protagonist, Cameron Cade, is played by Tyriq Withers, who suffers an almost career-ending brain trauma from a rogue, unhinged fan. His football hero, legendary eight-time Championship quarterback and cultural megastar, Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans), offers to train Cam at his isolated compound. At first glance, it plays like a coming-of-age sports drama. Butin classic Peele fashion, the mood quickly shifts as Isaiah White asks, “What are you willing to sacrifice?” Viewers are then treated to a plethora of horrific teasers of cult-like costumes, satanic imagery, walls of faces, graphic violence, and a tolling answer to the question: “Everything!” From the recent footage, it’s clear the creative team with be dealing with the awful mounting pressures young players can face from coaches, fans, and a culture that demands perfection.
