Ranking the Jordan Peele Films from Get Out to Nope

A couple of months ago, I finally had the opportunity to watch through Jordan Peele’s filmography and felt that October was the best month to share my thoughts on his horror films. Jordan Peele was originally a comedian known for his sketch comedy as a part of the duo Key and Peele. In 2017, he had his directorial debut in a completely different style and has since become a highly praised director. Jordan Peele has made three films, and I don’t think any of them have been bad. With all that said, here are my thoughts and ranking of the films of Jordan Peele.

3. Nope

Nope is the weakest of Jordan Peele’s films, but it is far from being a bad movie. This movie is Peele’s take on the Alien invasion genre, which for those aspects of the film, I think he does reasonably well. It pulls a bit from the likes of Signs and other alien thrillers with mysterious events happening at night and near misses with the alien, and mixes it with the feel of a modern western. I also liked the look of the alien, which showed that a lot can still be done with a small budget. The movie also features one of the few horror characters to actually have some sense. When he sees something mysterious happening, instead of going to check it out and dying, he says nope and turns the other way. I also liked how the movie subverts expectations about what a UFO can be. The big thing that keeps this at the bottom is that it didn’t quite come together like the other films did. There are aspects of the film, such as Jupe’s whole subplot, that just don’t go anywhere. This is the longest of his films, but I felt that it still needed a bit more time to bring everything together. Overall, while this is still a decent horror film, it didn’t bring things together quite like the others before it did.

Score: 7/10 Grade: B

2. Us

Us is Jordan Peele’s take on the home invasion genre. The main idea of the movie is very effective and quite unsettling at times. Having to be hunted by your own doppleganger is enough to give anyone nightmares. I thought that Lupita Nyong was great in her dual role as Adaline and Red. She can play both the normal and the weird so well. I also thought the pacing was well done. It gives time for the characters to be established and then kicks up the intensity and doesn’t let up until the end of the film. I also liked how each of the four family members gets their own little moment in the film. The main issue keeping this at number one is that while it does effective horror, it just lacks that extra oomph that made Get Out so great. There wasn’t as predominant a social commentary to it, nor much of a big twist. There is a twist at the end of the film, but it feels a little too little too late and doesn’t make 100% sense when you think about it. In the end, this is a solid home invasion film, but it doesn’t do anything extra to reach the top spot.

Score: 7.5/10 Grade: B

1. Get Out

Jordan Peele’s first film is still his best. With Get Out, Jordan Peele brings a new level to the horror genre, mixing in horror and suspense with relevant social commentary. The movie talks about ideas such as microaggressions and modern-day racism, but does so in a way that feels organic and not at all preachy. You get what he wants to say without being slapped in the face by it, which is the perfect way to handle social commentary. The movie does a great job of building a sense of tension and unease. Chris knows something is off at this house just from noticing little abnormalities with these elements, just building and building until the big reveal happens before the third act. Get Out is an example of a reveal done right, where there is more story to tell after, and everything about it makes sense as you sit and ponder. Get Out is also the type of movie that sits with you after it is over, further proving how effective its commentary and horror are. Overall, this is a top-tier horror film and shows that Jordan Peele is a director to watch out for.

Score: 8.5/10 Grade: A-