Get Out, the directorial debut of comedian Jordan Peele, is one of the most significant cinematic endeavours of the year. A social commentary on the racism in modern day America, Get Out is a no- holds barred modern masterpiece. In our stormy political climate, most would shy away from such a sensitive subject, but the risk Peele took payed off in a manner no one expected. Get Out has broken an astounding amount of records in the mere weeks since it’s release. First, Peele became the first black director/writer to have their debut feature gross $100 million at the box office. Now, at a profit of over $156 million, Get Out has become the highest grossing debut based on an original screenplay. The previous record was set in 1999, by The Blair Witch Project.

“We had this black president and we’re living in this post-racial lie. This whole idea that we’ve passed it all. For me, and many black people out there, there’s racism. I experience it on an everyday basis,” Peele said at the secret screening during the Sundance Film Festival. “This movie was meant to reveal that there’s the monster of racism lurking underneath these seemingly innocent conversations and situations. It’s been fascinating watching the last few years develop, because now the movie is coming out in a very different America from where it began. I think it’s more important now, and far more interesting now.”

Peele cites two social commentary horror/thrillers as inspiration for Get Out. Night of the Living Dead, the 1968 classic that single handily created the modern day zombie, was one of the first films to feature a black lead in a role unrelated to race, but the strongest influence comes from a surprising source, the 1975 feminist classic The Stepford Wives, a personal favorite of Peele’s. The films played on the sociopolitical anxieties of the time in such an eloquent manner that added a longevity and cultural significance to the now iconic films. Both classics are currently available on YouTube.

After the amazing response by fans and critics alike, a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 8.2/10 stars on IMDb, Peele doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. “I have four other social thrillers that I want to unveil in the next decade.” While we eagerly wait for Peele’s next film, make sure you catch Get Out while it’s still in theaters.