One of the most talented minds in Hollywood today.
By Emily Ratay — Written on May 11, 2017
Even though the year isn’t even halfway over, it’s pretty safe to say that writer-director Jordan Peele’s Get Out is THE movie of 2017.
Putting the film’s almost perfect Rotten Tomatoes score aside for the moment, I can’t think of another film in recent memory that has tapped into the cultural zeitgeist so perfectly. It captures the current racial, political, and social anxiety in America in a smart, effective way that no other media has matched this year so far.
And it’s also a damn good horror movie. The kind of audience-shaking thriller that you absolutely have to see in theaters.
Instead of being all about jump scares or gore, Get Out uses the set-up of a young black man visiting the family of his white girlfriend to bring to life the terrifying truths of racial bias and cultural appropriation, a reality that that Jordan Peele has dealt with his whole life.
His penchant for social criticism might surprise some people because, before Get Out, Jordan Peele was best known for his comedy. But it makes a certain degree of sense that Get Out’s cutting insights originated in the mind of a quick-witted cultural comedian.
Peele originally found fame on MadTV in the early 2000s. But he didn’t truly break into the mainstream until he teamed with his former MadTV co-star Keegan-Michael Key to create the wildly popular Comedy Central sketch show, Key & Peele.
The show became a sensation, particularly online, and allowed Peele to share his hilarious perspective on race, media, politics (his President Obama impression was a particular highlight)… you name it. (The show lasted 5 seasons and led to the movie Keanu in 2016.)
But, if you haven’t already seen Get Out, you DEFINITELY have to — I’m already planning on seeing it a second time, to be honest.
If you’re a fan of his work OR if you’re just interested in how one of the smartest writers in Hollywood views the world around him, here are 13 undeniably perceptive (and often hilarious) quotes from Jordan Peele on self-identity, race, the film industry, and everything in between.
If you’re looking for a little inspiration, we’ve got the best quotes to share and savor. For quotes from the most inspiring celebs, activists, and poets, look no further! You might even find the quote that motivates the best parts of your life (and love!) forever.
On representation.
“Barack Obama is the best thing ever to happen to black nerds. Up until Obama, it was basically Urkel. Other than that, we had no role models. So he made us cool.” — Jordan Peele
On horror movies.
“Like comedy, horror has an ability to provoke thought and further the conversation on real social issues in a very powerful way.” — Jordan Peele
On skin color.
“A greater truth that I think we are faced with on a day-to-day basis as minorities is: We are the color of skin first and people second.” — Jordan Peele
On minorities in Hollywood.
“We haven't done enough work to encourage minorities to strive to make movies. Hollywood is a place full of white male directors - there are many good ones. We just haven't nurtured our voices.” — Jordan Peele
On expressing emotion.
“I was raised that emotion was a good thing.” — Jordan Peele
On being yourself.
“You never want to be the whitest-sounding black guy in a room.” — Jordan Peele
On politics.
“It's a no-win situation with politics; it's always going to be stressful. I'm more into the comedy of life.” — Jordan Peele
On blessings in life.
“Sometimes blessings come in strange packages.” — Jordan Peele
On race.
“The conversation about race is inevitable. It's one that people know that we have to have and continue to have.” — Jordan Peele
On the President's popularity.
"You can track elections by who was playing that president on 'SNL' at that time. There's the theory that the more likable or charismatic impression would help get the president elected." — Jordan Peele
On going above and beyond.
“I love biting off more than I can chew and figuring it out.” — Jordan Peele
On racism.
“I just think racism is within each and every one of us. It's everyone's responsibility to figure out how they deal with this kind of obsolete instinct.” — Jordan Peele
On feeling like an outsider.
“Race is a universal flaw in humanity. So yes, I've been in many situations where I've felt like the outsider because of the color of my skin.” — Jordan Peele