Even as I watched the trailer for Get Out a few months ago I knew it was either going to be terrible or something special. Now, having seen the film, I’m happy to report it’s the latter. I mean who knew a comedian would make the must see horror comedy of the year? But be warned, Get Out is strange, the right kind of strange I think. It has an affectionate goofiness about it, and Jordan Peele finds the right balance between all the humor and horror. I don’t think the movie is particularly scary, but it certainly is unnerving and brimming with tension. It’s also hilarious, mostly thanks to Lil Rel Howery, who had the audience I saw it with tonight roaring with laughter every time he was onscreen.

I think this material could have so easily made a trash movie. It’s a miracle to me that Peele kept the direction mostly on point since the tone of it can be all over the place at times. It’s hard to make social commentary, especially on racial tension, and not come across as preachy. Peele made the right choice in having as much humor as he did, because it made up for some of the stranger moments earlier on that don’t quite work. Catherine Keener just wasn’t doing it for me initially, and the movie does go in to very, very odd unexplored territory. It works though since you pretty much know what you’re getting into within the first 15 minutes or so. Prepare yourself, seriously.

There’s something else I have to talk about regarding this movie and that’s Daniel Kaluuya, whose very presence elevates standard scenes into something much more. I first saw him in ep 2 of Black Mirror, which he was amazing in, and then later in Sicario where he was great. But he hadn’t had the chance to have a leading role until now, and this strangle film was the way for him. Jordan Peele describes him as “a Sidney Poitier meets Jimmy Stewart to me, where he’s the everyman”, I couldn’t have said it better myself. There is something likeable about him, something so good about his reactions to the people and events surrounding him. I am positive this movie would have been unthinkable without him.

The racial commentary works mostly. Sometimes it’s a bit too overt, but other times it’s incredibly subtle and well done. I enjoyed that I was weirded out for most of it, trying to figure out what was really going on with the story and how it all connected. Allison Williams is also fantastic here, but I don’t want to say too much more because the movie took some turns that I truly did not see coming.

Get Out isn’t as amazing or mindblowing as something like The Cabin in the Woods (hey look at that, Bradley Whitford is in that too!), but I don’t think it tries to be. I think Peele strived to make an entertaining movie while also having a good message that makes us think. For my money, he succeeded. I also love movies where the worlds and tension are well built enough that the characters exploding into cathartic violence becomes extremely rewarding. And since the movie is a depiction of circumstances that provoke one to fulfill stereotypes, Daniel Kaluuya was perfectly cast.

I was pissed the fuck off last year when Civil War squandered all the potential it had (still liked it, but what a disappointment) and so I ALWAYS will praise filmmakers for trying something new and daring to take risks. For all Civil War’s flashy visuals and good action scenes, the movie failed to make me care because it had no consequences. And you better believe that extended post is coming where I rip into it and tell you why a movie like that is more dangerous than you think for the future of big budget films since it thrives on settling for the status quo. For all the hundreds of millions of dollars thrown into it the Russo brothers and the studio did not even attempt to bring us anything new. Here Jordan Peele makes his directorial debut with a $4.5 million low budget that I’m sure was a big risk even for him and makes it work. Even if you don’t end up liking it, you’ve got to give him props for exploring new ground.

I think if you go into this movie with an open mind and ready yourself for the strange awkwardness you’ll enjoy its deeper scenes and meaning. The movie is much funnier than it is scary, but always maintains its urgency and tension. Plus it has a interesting opening and a really enjoyable soundtrack. Overall an entertaining, awesome experience.