Jordan Peele Movies Ranked
2. Nope (2022)
Nope is the story of siblings and horse ranch owners OJ (Daniel Kaluuya) and Emerald (Keke Palmer). After the bizarre death of their father, the siblings discover a watchful and mysterious presence lurking in the sky. The two attempt to investigate the UFO while a nearby theme park owner (Steven Yeun) attempts to turn a profit from the spectacle.
Unlike Us, one of the strongest elements of Nope is the thoughtful symbolism and carefully constructed metaphors. Upon each viewing, we are certain to discover hidden meanings and Easter eggs along the way. Each detail in the film is as delightfully horrifying as it is impactful. Peele reckons with the idea of spectacle and what humans will do to capitalize on it. He further dissects elements of childhood trauma and racism to make a profound statement on the state of the world.
For the most part, Nope focuses less on fright and more on message, but the film still hosts two of the scariest and most visceral moments in Peele’s canon. A masterful blend of empathy, claustrophobia, and sheer violence cement these moments in our minds long after the film has ended. Nope demands to be viewed thoughtfully and repeatedly. Though the first viewing is indeed thrilling, no two watches will be the same.
1. Get Out (2017)
Jordan Peele’s behemoth directorial debut will forever be cemented in film and race conversations.
Get Out follows photographer Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) on a weekend trip to his girlfriend Rose’s (Allison Williams) parents’ house. As a black man, Chris is immediately worried about his white girlfriend’s family and their reception of him. At first, the weekend is normal (if not laden with microaggressions), but the family eventually reveals their far more sinister natures.
Get Out isn’t the first racial horror movie, but it did successfully usher in a wave of intersectional thinking within the genre. Even if you haven’t seen the film, you might have heard the term “sunken place” used in conversations about race. Peele’s film was so impactful that its terminology left the theater and entered political and academic dialogues. Get Out effectively exposed white liberal racism at a time that was considered “post-racial” in many white communities.
Additionally, the film functions as an excellent horror movie. Daniel Kaluuya gives a layered performance that truly is deserving of critical acclaim and was worthy of awards. The first two acts are tension-filled, and there are anxiety-riddled moments of pure terror. Peele fully immerses us in this small, slightly-off New England property where unthinkable acts will take place. Once again, his affection for humor shines through, making the story feel all too believable. Get Out is a must-watch, not only for horror fans but anyone who wants to understand race relations in the United States of America.
Jordan Peele is a dynamic director and undoubtedly has years of successful films to come. Even with his small filmography, he has proven a strong command of the horror genre and has graced the community with many innovative techniques. His social commentary sets him apart from other directors in the genre and even his “worst” films are deeply enjoyable and creative.
Which of Jordan Peele’s films do you most enjoy? Let us know in the comments and be sure to follow @thefilmagazine on Facebook and Twitter for updates on more insightful movie lists.
Written by Emi Grant
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