In this episode, Kelley and Annie spelunk into the sunken places of Jordan Peele's Get Out, looking at that landscape through a folk horror lens. They unpack the film’s layered character dynamics, its sharp racial commentary, and the psychological horror that makes it so unsettling. The conversation explores everything from the haunting symbolism of the “sunken place” to the chilling reveal of the Order of the Coagula.
Your intrepid hosts also dig into the cult-like organization behind the body-swapping ritual, the insidious racial dynamics at its core, and Rose’s role as a striking example of white female complicity in systemic racism. Along the way, they talk about the film’s commentary on law enforcement, its ties to the historical realities of white supremacy, and why it fits so powerfully within the folk horror tradition. Get Out remains such a relevant and provocative piece of modern horror that continues to spark conversations about race, identity, and the horrors that hide in plain sight.
Show Notes
00:00 Introduction to Folk Horror and Get Out
11:47 Exploring Themes in Get Out
24:37 Character Dynamics and Social Commentary
37:35 Cinematic Techniques and Aesthetic Choices
38:03 The Concept of the Sunken Place
39:40 The Garden Party and Racial Tensions
43:42 The Silent Auction Revelation
46:07 The Red Shoe Box Discovery
48:27 The Final Confrontation Begins
49:18 The Order of the Coagula Explained
51:32 The Ambiguity of Racial Identity
53:54 Rod's Investigation and Humor
59:19 Chris's Escape and Final Showdown
01:07:05 Zombie Tropes and Emotional Stakes
01:07:31 The Final Confrontation
01:08:30 Strangulation and Intimacy in Violence
01:09:55 Rose's Manipulation and Lack of Humanity
01:10:51 The Cult Influence on Rose's Character
01:11:45 Understanding Evil: Nature vs. Nurture
01:13:06 The Role of White Women in Power Structures
01:14:29 The Ideal of Love and Its Exploitation
01:16:32 Police Arrival and Societal Commentary
01:18:21 Rod's Rescue and the Aftermath
01:18:44 Historical Context of White Power
01:20:50 Rose as a Temptress and Recruiter
01:22:34 Cycles of Exploitation and Rituals
01:25:17 The Pain of the Victims
01:27:06 Folk Horror and Social Commentary
01:29:02 Legacy of Slavery and Modern Implications
01:30:27 The Aesthetics of Power and Control
01:32:22 Concluding Thoughts on Prestige Horror
